The Enemy Below (1957)

Set during WWII, an American destroyer and a German U-boat play a deadly cat and mouse stalking game. The ship's Captain (Robert Mitchum) and the submarine's commander (Curt Jurgens) attempt to outthink and outmaneuver each other with each's survival in the balance. Based on the novel by Denys Rayner and directed by actor turned director Dick Powell (THE CONQUEROR). I'm not a fan of war movies, particularly war movies set in submarines but I found this intense WWII war film quite intelligent and thrilling. The film suggests that not all Germans were rabid Nazis and Jurgens' submarine commander is clearly uncomfortable with the "new" Germany. This is different from the original novel where the submarine commander is more of a traditional Nazi. A tight, decently written WWII drama. The film won an Oscar for its sound effects. With Theodore Bikel, David Hedison, Frank Albertson, Kurt Kreuger and Doug McClure.