In Which We Serve (1942)

7.2Not Rated114 minDirector: David Lean

1942 film by David Lean, Noël Coward

In Which We Serve is a 1942 British patriotic war film directed by Noël Coward and David Lean, who made his debut as a director. It was made during the Second World War with the assistance of the Ministry of Information.

The screenplay by Coward was inspired by the exploits of Captain Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was in command of the destroyer HMS Kelly when it was sunk during the Battle of Crete.

Coward composed the music as well as starring in the film as the ship's captain. The film also starred John Mills, Bernard Miles, Celia Johnson and Richard Attenborough in his first screen role.

In Which We Serve received the full backing of the Ministry of Information, which offered advice on what would make good propaganda and facilitated the release of military personnel. The film is a classic example of wartime British cinema through its patriotic imagery of national unity and social cohesion within the context of the war.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is In Which We Serve about?
In Which We Serve (1942) — This is the story of a British Naval ship, H.M.S. Torrin, from its construction to its sinking in the Mediterranean during action in World War II. The ship's first and only commanding officer is the experienced Captain E.V. Kinross, who trains his men not only to be loyal to him,
Is In Which We Serve based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is In Which We Serve scary?
Content rating: Not Rated. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.