USS GreyHound- la bataille de l'Atlantique

The current coronavirus pandemic means that many films destined for theatrical release in the United States as well as in France are forced to be broadcast on legal streaming platforms, whether Netflix, Prime Video (Pinocchio) or Disney Plus (Artemis Fowl). In this case, Sony Pictures under its Columbia and Stage 6 labels had planned a release in American cinemas on June 12 before selling the rights to Apple TV+ and distributing the film worldwide on July 10 in its original version only.

It is the film adaptation of the novel Shepherds on the Sea (The Good Shepherd) (1955) by C. S. Forester. Understandably, the patriotic aspect of the book was of particular interest to actor, screenwriter, producer and director Tom Hanks (credited here only as actor and screenwriter).

After an introductory scene set in the past and showing the personal difficulties encountered by Commander Ernest Krause (Tom Hanks) with his wife Eva Krause (Elisabeth Shue), the action takes place essentially on the ship he commands. On his first mission on the front lines of the Second World War, Ernest Krause will not only face his own inner demons, but also prove to be an excellent strategist if he wants to succeed in facing the U-boat threat. The result is a film of a rather short duration (90mns) but of a frightening effectiveness leaving hardly time to breathe to the spectators.

In discovering this film, it is impossible not to think of Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. In both cases, it is a total immersion in a war film as epic as it is realistic. Blake Neely's music also reinforces this total immersion and allows us to rediscover the epic breath of the great Hollywood films.

It is easy to understand director Aaron Schneider's desire to offer an old-fashioned war movie without unnecessary stylistic effects. Everything sounds so right in this film, whether it is the use of specific terms, the way of acting of this commander and his crew, but especially the many battles on the open sea. Interesting also to see that Tom Hanks is as excellent an actor as he is a screenwriter and he shows it again here.

Far from writing himself a tailor-made and Oscar-winning role, he rather pays attention to respect the book of C. S. Forester and pay tribute to the many war heroes who gave their lives for causes beyond them and specially to make the United States triumph over its many vindictive enemies. One only regrets not being able to discover this film in the cinema as certain scenes seem to have been designed to be discovered on the big screen.

Greyhound
Directed by Aaron Schneider
Produced by Gary Goetzman
Screenplay by Tom Hanks
Based on The Good Shepherd by C. S. Forester
Starring Tom Hanks, Stephen Graham, Rob Morgan, Elisabeth Shue
Music by Blake Neely
Cinematography: Shelly Johnson
Edited by Mark Czyzewski, Sidney Wolinsky
Production company: Sony Pictures, Stage 6 Films, Bron Creative, Zhengfu Pictures, Sycamore Pictures, FilmNation Entertainment, Playtone
Distributed by Apple TV+
Release date: July 10, 2020 (United States), July 10, 2020 (France)
Running time : 91 minutes

Viewed on 10 July 2020 on Apple TV+ 

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