10 Best Naval War Films You Need To See

5. Against The Sun

Master and Commander
Goldcrest Films NYC

Returning to World War II, Against the Sun is a simple story about three men and their struggle for survival. In the early days of the war in the Pacific, the navy airmen Harold Dixon, Tony Pastula and Gene Aldrich are forced to abandon their torpedo bomber due to low fuel.

Left adrift with nothing but their raft and each other for company, they're forced to survive on meagre rations and wait for rescue. All the while, they're dogged by fears of capture, patrolling sharks, dehydration and countless other dangers. By basing itself on a real-life story, Against the Sun is able to command an effective impact on its audience.

From the get-go, there's a palpable sense of isolation as the men do whatever they can to stay alive. Collecting rainwater, taking shelter from the sun and keeping their eyes on the horizon for any sign of hope, things are slow-moving yet well committed to representing true events.

It's a stirring adaptation that emphasises just how difficult it was to maintain communication and coordination with armed forces throughout the 1940s. All three actors do a solid job throughout and the sense of tension is evident throughout its ninety-nine minute runtime.

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