User Reviews

"Haie und kleine Fische" or "Sharks and Little Fish" or "Sharks and Small Fish" is a West German German-language movie from 1957, so this one has its 60th anniversary this year. So many years later, it is definitely among the more known works by writer Frank Wisbar and writer Alf Teichs. The latter adapted the novel together with Wolfgang Ott and he is also the one who actually wrote this novel. He died four years ago and until now it is the only film adaptation of one of his works. Looking at the age of this one, nobody should really be surprised that it is a black-and-white film, even if it is of course true that there are indeed films from several years (almost decades) earlier that were already made in color. And of course this one here is not old enough to be a silent film. The cast includes a couple actors like Felmy, Preiss and Frank that are still somewhat known today. For Felmy especially, who plays somewhat of the biggest character in here (in terms of screen time and story), it was a really early performance and he was in his 20s here. I thought the first half hour or so was fairly decent, before the submarine and war action actually really started and it is more about life of the characters in general, also about love and marriage and attraction. Afterward, I quickly lost interest and none of the performances or story lines really got me interested again. Also the drama and tragedy depicted in did not really strike with me on an emotional level. Quite a pity. As a whole, I must say this is one of the uncountable German films after World War II that dealt with exactly this war, bit did not really leave an impact as a defining film on this subject. I also felt that at almost 2 hours it was two long for its own good and had several lengths. Admittedly, in the film's favor, there is no denying Felmy had pretty strong screen presence at a young age already. But this alone isn't enough to let me give this one a thumbs-up. Then again, maybe (German) submarine movies are not exactly to my liking as I also find "Das Boot" really overrated. But I discussed this already on another occasion / title page. Back to this one here: I did not enjoy the watch as much as I hoped I would and as a consequence I don't recommend seeing it. Oh yeah, one final note, the title reference felt pretty much rushed in during the last third of the film.

SHARKS AND LITTLE FISH – 1957

This is one of the first of the war films that came out of Germany after World War Two. It follows four young navy ratings fresh out of training. The four, Hanjorg Felmey, Horst Frank, Ernest Rienhold and Thomas Braut are assigned to a small coastal minesweeper. They spend their days clearing mines so that the merchant ships can carry cargo to the German Forces in Norway.

Most of the time, this duty is nothing but sheer boredom. But every once in a while things start hopping when the ships are attacked by British Coastal Command torpedo bombers. This drives home just what war is when several of the crew are killed.

Of course there is also time off in port where the boys make the rounds of the bars and brothels. The one lad, Felmey, falls hard for the wife of his ship's Captain. Needless to say this goes nowhere fast.

Out on a mission the ship is sank out from underneath them in a massive air attack. Most of the crew is lost and the survivors are picked up by a U-Boat. After a spot of leave, the four are sent to France to join the U-Boat fleet.

The war by this time is going badly for Germany. One by one the boys are killed off with only one seeing the end of the war alive.

An excellent war film with plenty of German shot combat footage used throughout. The footage of the air attack by Bristol Beaufort torpedo bombers is fantastic. Watching the planes come in at mast high level as they attack the ships is amazing.

I also recommend the director, Frank Wisbar's Stalingrad film from 1959, DOGS, DO YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER.