How long is The Cruel Sea?

The Cruel Sea is 2 h 6 min long (126 minutes). If you start it at 8:00 pm it ends at 10:06 pm; add about 20 minutes if you watch trailers first.

What is The Cruel Sea rated?

The Cruel Sea is rated NR in the US.

Where can I stream The Cruel Sea?

In the US, as of 2026-11-08: BFI Player Amazon Channel (subscription), Kanopy (free). Availability changes often; this page loads the live list for your country (streaming availability by JustWatch).

Lights Down — what movie do we watch?Pick tonight's movie →

Lights Down › Tonight's lists › The Cruel Sea

Where to watch The Cruel Sea (1953) tonight

The Cruel Sea (1953) runs 2 h 6 min, is rated NR in the US and averages 6.9 from 85 TMDB members. At the start of World War II, Cmdr. Ericson is assigned to convoy escort HMS Compass Rose with inexperienced officers and men just out of training. The winter seas make life miserable enough, but the men must also harden themselves to rescuing survivors of U-Boat attacks, while seldom able to strike back. Traumatic events afloat and ashore create a warm bond between the skipper and his first officer.

Runtime: 2 h 6 min — ends 10:06 pm if you start at 8:00 pm
Rated: NR (US)
Genres: Drama, History, War
Released: February 24, 1953
TMDB rating: 6.9 / 10 from 85 votes
Director: Charles Frend
Starring: Jack Hawkins, Donald Sinden, Denholm Elliott, John Stratton
Language: English

Good for a group? Better for one or two who will actually watch.Drama and History reward attention; a room that talks over it will miss the point.

Where to watch it tonight

Availability loads live for your country. See where The Cruel Sea streams (JustWatch via TMDB) →

Streaming availability by JustWatch. In the US, as of 2026-11-08: BFI Player Amazon Channel (subscription), Kanopy (free).

Questions people ask

How long is The Cruel Sea?: The Cruel Sea is 2 h 6 min long (126 minutes). If you start it at 8:00 pm it ends at 10:06 pm; add about 20 minutes if you watch trailers first.
What is The Cruel Sea rated?: The Cruel Sea is rated NR in the US.
Is The Cruel Sea a good movie to watch with a group?: Better for one or two who will actually watch. Drama and History reward attention; a room that talks over it will miss the point.
Where can I stream The Cruel Sea?: In the US, as of 2026-11-08: BFI Player Amazon Channel (subscription), Kanopy (free). Availability changes often; this page loads the live list for your country (streaming availability by JustWatch).

More lists

If you like The Cruel Sea

The Cruel Sea on TMDB · This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

Lights Down is a free tool: tell it your streaming services and how long you have, and it ranks what you can stream tonight, with a this-or-that, a roll, a bracket and a wheel. Movie data from TMDB; streaming availability by JustWatch. Page updated 2026-11-08. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Lights Down is a Somebody Decide program. How the data works · Legal & privacy · Tonight's lists