The brave and daunting feats of World War Two underwater demolition teams are brought to life in this classic film, with Richard Widmark leading the way

In Hollywood, there are hard men and then there's Richard Widmark. Described by filmmaker Don Siegel as "the sort of man who could make you shit just by looking at you", Widmark might not have been lauded in the same fashion as Cagney, Bogart and Eastwood, but the star of Madigan, Night And The City and Kiss Of Death was every bit as tough as all of them.

He's certainly pretty daunting as Lieutenant Commander John Lawrence. Indeed, Widmark makes co-star Dana Andrews - himself no stranger to playing indomitable heroes - look a bit of a sissy. As a new UDT (Underwater Demolition Teams) leader who must win the respect of his crewman, Widmark isn't afraid to show his sensitive side. However, when there is man's work to do - such as disarming an unexploded torpedo that's slammed into the side of his vessel - there's no prizes for guessing who's the first to get his hands dirty.

Excerpt from Channel 4 located HERE