Torpedo Run
Torpedo Run is a 1958 American Metrocolor war film directed by Joseph Pevney and produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, starring Glenn Ford as Lieutenant Commander Barney Doyle, the captain of the U.S. submarine Greyfish during World War II in the South Pacific.[1] The story centers on Doyle's relentless pursuit of the Japanese aircraft carrier Shinaru, which led the attack on Pearl Harbor, complicated by the discovery that his wife and daughter are among the civilian prisoners aboard a transport ship used by the enemy as a human shield.[2] Released on October 24, 1958, the film runs 98 minutes and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the 31st Academy Awards.[3] The screenplay, written by William Wister Haines and Richard Sale, draws on the psychological and tactical tensions of submarine warfare, with Doyle facing moral dilemmas while navigating minefields and employing innovative strategies to complete his mission.[1] Supporting roles include Ernest Borgnine as Lieutenant Archer Sloan, Doyle's executive officer; Diane Brewster as his wife Jane; Dean Jones as Lieutenant Jake Foley; and L.Q. Jones as crewman "Hash" Benson, alongside Philip Ober as Admiral Samuel Setton.[1] Cinematography was handled by George J. Folsey, capturing the film's 2.35:1 aspect ratio in Metrocolor, with production benefiting from U.S. Navy cooperation to ensure technical accuracy in depicting submarine operations, including a rare portrayal of evacuation using Momsen lungs.[1][2] Critically, Torpedo Run received mixed reviews, praised for its suspenseful action and realistic portrayal of naval combat but critiqued for formulaic elements in its narrative.[4] It holds an audience score of 49% on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 100 ratings, with viewers noting its engaging simulation of WWII submarine tactics despite some dated aspects.[4] The film contributes to the postwar cycle of Hollywood submarine movies, emphasizing themes of duty, sacrifice, and the personal costs of war in the Pacific theater.[1]Film overview
Plot
Torpedo Run is set in October 1942 in the South Pacific during World War II, where Lieutenant Commander Barney Doyle commands the USS Grayfish submarine on a critical mission to sink the Japanese aircraft carrier Shinaru, the vessel that led the attack on Pearl Harbor.[4] During reconnaissance, the crew discovers a Japanese transport ship positioned as a human shield ahead of the Shinaru, carrying over 1,400 American prisoners of war, including Doyle's wife Jane and their young daughter.[1] The transport's placement reveals the enemy's tactic to deter an attack on the carrier, forcing Doyle to confront the devastating personal implications of his objective.[4] Grappling with profound moral anguish, Doyle weighs his duty to the war effort against the certain loss of his family, ultimately ordering the torpedo launch on the transport despite the heartbreaking cost.[2] The explosion sinks the ship, claiming the lives of the POWs including his loved ones, leaving Doyle wracked with guilt that fuels his unyielding determination to complete the mission.[1] The submarine then pursues the fleeing Shinaru through hazardous waters, launching a blind torpedo attack that strikes the carrier amid evasive maneuvers and aerial assaults.[4] Depth charge barrages from pursuing destroyers force the Grayfish to dive deep, testing the crew's endurance as they employ Momsen lungs—emergency breathing devices—to survive toxic fumes and flooding.[2] In the resolution, Doyle and the surviving crew escape to the surface, with the commander reflecting on the irreconcilable tension between personal sacrifice and military obligation, affirming his resolve in the face of irreversible loss.[1]Cast
The principal cast of Torpedo Run is led by Glenn Ford as Lieutenant Commander Barney Doyle, the determined submarine commander haunted by personal stakes. Ernest Borgnine plays Lieutenant Archer "Archie" Sloan, Doyle's loyal executive officer who provides comic relief and support. Diane Brewster portrays Jane Doyle, Barney's wife captured on the transport ship. Dean Jones appears as Lieutenant Jake "Fuzz" Foley, a young officer handling communications and navigation. L.Q. Jones is cast as "Hash" Benson, a crew member involved in technical operations. Philip Ober takes the role of Admiral Samuel Setton, a senior officer with strategic input.[5] The production received full cooperation from the U.S. Navy, aiding authentic depictions of submarine crew portrayals.[1]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Glenn Ford | Lt. Cmdr. Barney Doyle |
| Ernest Borgnine | Lt. Archer "Archie" Sloan |
| Diane Brewster | Jane Doyle |
| Dean Jones | Lt. Jake "Fuzz" Foley |
| L.Q. Jones | "Hash" Benson |
| Philip Ober | Adm. Samuel Setton |
| Richard Carlyle | Cmdr. Don Adams |
| Fredd Wayne | Orville "Goldy" Goldstein |
| Don Keefer | Ens. Ron Milligan |
| Robert Hardy | Lt. Redley |
| Paul Picerni | Lt. Burt Fisher |
| Kimberly Beck | Dede Doyle |
| Oliver Cross | Nightclub Patron |
| Sam Edwards | Sub Radio Operator |
| Biff Elliot | Lt. Paul Buckeye |
| Al Freeman Jr. | Sam Baker |
| Frank Gorshin | Sub Crewman |
| Norman Grabowski | Sub Crewman |
| Louis Quinn | Crewman Metcalf |
| William Schallert | Captain of the Bluefin |
| Frank London | Al Garrity |
| Karl Lukas | Hallert |