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Free from any picture deals, Powell and Pressburger returned to the subject that first brought them together: war. In The Battle of the River Plate, they explored the legendary battles against the German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee, which – under the operation of Captain Hans Langsdorff (Peter Finch) – aggressively sank ships in the South Atlantic at the beginning of WWII. With courage, intelligence and an unwavering fighting spirit, the crews of three British cruisers – led by Commodore Harwood (Anthony Quayle) – defeat the rampaging German ship off Uruguay.

Featuring unbearably tense dramatic moments in a mise-en-scène filmed in splendid VistaVision, The Battle of the River Plate contrasts the noble virtues of judgment, strategy, and solidarity with the banality and absurdity of war. In a deeply humanistic touch, the film honours the dignity and mutual respect that can transcend borders and ideology, all delivered with true Powell and Pressburger flair.

The Battle of the River Plate will screen from an imported 35mm print.