Sink the Bismarck

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A 1960 World War II drama, based on the novel, The Last Nine Days of the Bismarck, by C. S. Forester. During the Battle Of The Atlantic, Britain must fight alone as Nazi Germany sends out its most powerful battleship to hunt the supply convoys that the country needs to survive. In command of the operation is Captain Jonathan Shepard (Kenneth More), a by-the-book commander and disciplinarian who prosecutes the fight heedless of the feelings of his subordinates.

Has nothing to do with the Real Life Gargle Blaster from BrewDog Brewery.


Tropes used in Sink the Bismarck include:


  • As Himself: Legendary news broadcaster Edward R Murrow no less!
  • Battle Epic
  • The Big Board
  • Curb Stomp Battle: Done inadvertently by the Bismarck when she sinks the Hood in one salvo, then later when the Bismarck's rudder is damaged by a torpedo and she can only circle as the British ships rip her apart
  • Heroic BSOD: Shepard, who finally shows some human emotion when he breaks down weeping after getting the news that his son was found alive after being reported MIA.
  • No One Gets Left Behind: Subverted early, as Shepard strips protection from convoys to search for the Bismarck.
  • Oh Crap: Several among the British in response to seeing or hearing about the Hood's destruction; also, the admiral aboard Hood has a moment, at about 1:50, when he appears to sense what the salvo just fired is going to do.
  • Shell-Shocked Veteran: Captain Shepard, who hides the pain of his wife's death behind a mask of formality and a dose of Drill Sergeant Nasty.
  • The Spock: Shepherd
  • The Strategist: Shepherd
  • The Voice: Prime Minister Winston Churchill when he gives the Title Drop.
  • The War Room:
  • Those Magnificent Flying Machines: The only torpedo bomber the British had at the time was Fairey Swordfish, a fragile looking two-seat biplane. Which went up against the biggest battleship in the German fleet and crippled her enough to allow the surface fleet to finish her off.
  • Unfriendly Fire: A British cruiser is mistaken for the Bismarck and nearly torpedoed by the Illustrious' bombers.
  • World War II