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The Bedford Incident | Year: 1965 Classification: Drama Directed: - James B. Harris Actors/Actresses: - Richard Widmark - Sidney Poitier "If he fires one, I'll fire one"... Prophetic words from this mid 60's cold war drama. Richard Widmark stars as Captain Eric Finlander, the commander of the USS Bedford, a sub-chasing destroyer on patrol in the Denmark Strait. The Captain runs the tightest of ships, stands no nonsense, and keeps his men on a sharp edge. Recent arrivals on board his ship, are Ben Munceford, a reporter on assignment (Sidney Poitier) and the ship's new medical officer, Lt. Commander Chester Potter (Martin Balsam). The Bedford's current assignment, is to track the movements of a Russian submarine, code named "Big Red". After reporting that "Big Red" has violated international law, Finlander is ordered to just track the sub, and maintain surveillance, and not initiate a confrontation. A restrained Finlander grows restless, as the Russian sub runs under the ice. Another guest aboard the Bedford is Commodore Schrepke (Eric Portman), current West German Navy Officer, and a former German U-boat man. An expert on the subject of submarines, Findlander turns to him for analysis and advice. "Big Red" must surface sometime to take on air, and the Bedford trails, waiting. While negotiating through treacherous ice filled waters, the sub apparently hits something underwater, and disappears from the Bedford's sonar. This is the sets the stage for the film's memorable conclusion. Widmark commands attention as Finlander, a man who believes that he knows the proper way to deal with the enemy. Given this chance, he refuses to back off from teaching the Russians a lesson. Poitier, is solid as a reporter, who must constantly monitor his actions, so as to remain in the Captain's favor. Balsam, is amusing as an ex-civilian doctor, just returned to active duty. Attempting to implement his ideas into the ship's routine, and hitting a brick wall. James MacArthur plays a rattled ensign, and Wally Cox is a sonar operator, the only man Finlander shows any affection for. Cox's voice may be recognizable as that of the cartoon character "Underdog". As an interesting character study, and a look at the tenor of the times, "The Bedford Incident" is recommended viewing. A hard-hitting Cold War drama. Rivetting. This is a fascinating Cold War drama. Richard Widmark turns in a stellar performance as Captain Eric Finlander, captain of the USS Bedford, an American ship of war sent out to monitor Soviet submarine movements off Greenland. Sidney Portier is a news correspondent monitoring life on the Bedford. He quickly learns that Finlander runs the Bedford with an iron hand, and that he has turned the crew into fanatical sailors. For the first two thirds of its length the movie is standard destroyer versus submarine fare, in a Cold War context rather than WW2. It is rather well done, too. Things then become even more interesting. The ending packs quite a punch. Good movie. Recommended. Hopefully this one will become available on DVD before too long, because it is one movie I would very much like to have in my collection. If you like Cold War drama, well-acted and fast-paced, so will you like this movie. TENSE COLD-WAR ACTION What a fascinating politically charged thriller! For me, up there with the ilk of "Fail Safe" and "On the Beach" in terms of class, or "Dr. Strangelove" and "Catch 22" in terms of anti-war message. Crisp direction and acting. This DVD should be on any collector's shelf. The tension is maintained through every scene, right unto the explosive climax, one of the best in a film that I have ever seen. Quite noteworthy also that that Sidney Poitier's complexion was never made into an issue either verbally or by implication, something quite remarkable for a movie made over 35 years ago. Get one now if you care for intelligent cinema. Buy The Bedford Incident at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Bedford Incident Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Bedford Incident This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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