Greyhound (2020)

Greyhound Poster

A first-time captain leads a convoy of allied ships carrying thousands of soldiers across the treacherous waters of the “Black Pit” to the front lines of WW2. With no air cover protection for 5 days, the captain and his convoy must battle the surrounding enemy Nazi U-boats in order to give the allies a chance to win the war.

Film Background
"Greyhound" is a war movie released in 2020 that was motivated by real events from World War II. The movie is adjusted from C. S. Forester's novel "The Good Shepherd", released in 1955. It stars academy acclaimed actor Tom Hanks, who also doubled as its scriptwriter. The film is directed by Aaron Schneider, with production by Playtone and FilmNation Entertainment.

Plot
The film centers on Ernest Krause (Tom Hanks), a U.S. Navy captain given his first wartime task. He is entrusted to lead an international convoy of 37 ships across the treacherous North Atlantic while being hunted by wolf packs of German U-Boats. The film is set during the Battle of the Atlantic, one of the longest and most complex marine fights in history.

Characters and Storyline
The movie's title, "Greyhound", is derived from the code name of the destroyer ship led by Krause. Hanks represents Krause with his particular attention to detail, as a peaceful, deeply religious guy who appears ill-suited for the extreme realities of war. Regardless of this, he is methodical, disciplined, and smart as he leads Greyhound and its convoy while handling the unending risks of the German submarines.

The movie primarily occurs aboard the USS Keeling, codenamed Greyhound, which functions as the convoy's de facto leader responsible for protecting the merchant ships from the opponent U-Boats. The audience is handled a psychological journey spanning roughly 48 hours, with no reprieve from the constant worry and threat.

Throughout the movie, Tom Hanks' character need to battle not only the German U-Boats however likewise the difficulties of management, the unforgiving weather condition, and his own insecurities. Armed with a certain level of faith and decision, his character stays ruthless and concentrated on the mission.

Director's Perspective
The film does not focus much on character advancement or subplots however narrows in on the intensity and tactical ingenuity of marine warfare. It depicts the complex choices a captain need to make under extremely stressful conditions, showcasing both the heroics and horror of war at sea. There are tense and gripping series, showing the technical aspects of naval warfare and the constant life-or-death decisions Krause need to make.

Reception
"Greyhound" got typically positive evaluations with specific appreciation for its action sequences, effects, and Hanks' efficiency. Nevertheless, some critics thought about the film's narrow focus to be both its strength and weak point, as the limited character advancement leaves the audience desiring for more depth and backstory.

Overall, "Greyhound" is an extreme, fast-paced film that offers a gripping peek into the truths of marine warfare, underpinned by a standout efficiency from Tom Hanks. The movie is testament to the reality that the courage, ingenuity, and unyielding spirit of allied naval forces played a vital function in World War II.

Top Cast

  • Tom Hanks (small)
    Tom Hanks
    Commander Krause
  • Stephen Graham (small)
    Stephen Graham
    Charlie Cole
  • Rob Morgan (small)
    Rob Morgan
    Cleveland
  • Josh Wiggins (small)
    Josh Wiggins
    Talker #1
  • Tom Brittney (small)
    Tom Brittney
    Lt. Watson
  • Elisabeth Shue (small)
    Elisabeth Shue
    Evelyn
  • Will Pullen (small)
    Will Pullen
    Talker #3
  • Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (small)
    Manuel Garcia-Rulfo
    Lopez
  • Karl Glusman (small)
    Karl Glusman
    Eppstein
  • Chet Hanks (small)
    Chet Hanks
    Bushnell
  • Jimi Stanton (small)
    Jimi Stanton
    Lt. Harbutt