Admirable film.

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

This film might just take you by surprise. After all, in so many films Gary Cooper plays the bigger than life hero. And, in so many WWII films (especially those made during the war), the story is about bigger than life heroes. Well, as a nice change of pace, Cooper plays a woefully unprepared and not especially heroic guy in this war film set during WWII--but made a few years later.The film begins with Cooper receiving his first command of a naval ship. This seems weird to him, as he's only a reserve officer and has zero experience with ships. To make things a LOT worse, it turns out just about everyone on his new ship has no experience either! Heck, they aren't even sure how to take the ship out of port--it's that bad. To make things even worse, the Navy is testing out a new engine--and they've installed it on this ship! They can't help but fail and the film consists of one problem after another trying to get this ship to sea. Overall, an interesting film that actually was pretty entertaining and mildly funny--and I liked that it didn't try hard for jokes but took a more casual approach. It also helped that Cooper had some nice support--with Eddie Arnold, Jack Webb, Millard Mitchell, Ray Collins and many other veteran supporting actors. And, interestingly, the film was a first for three soon to be big names--Lee Marvin, Charley Buchinsky (Charles Bronson) and Jack Warden. Well worth seeing and undemanding fun.

This film is a good representation of life in the Navy,even in today's world. Anyone who served on a "steamer" as a "snipe" will easily understand the sacrifices required to keep the ship going. The human bonding that is very evident, while the Officers are growing into their authority, is constantly repeated in today's Navy. A ship's complement will turn-over 50 percent after returning from a deployment, returning the ship to a state of controlled chaos. What is seen in this movie is a very good look at what happens to every ship every two-three years. Ultimately, the crew completes the "quickening" and are able to function as a team. Try to understand the leadership techniques that "Coop" appears to stumble over with the intended effect. These tools are constantly in use today. Also understand the "level of silliness" that is demanded by the US Navy. While civilians will pooh-pooh the Navy brass requirements, this is taken with the utmost seriousness and urgency to complete, especially in time of war. As nit-picky the Navy demands are, it is very common for the entire ship to put their combined effort on this objective. Hence, it looks as silly as an elephant standing on a thimble. The amazing thing is that it is actually happening.

Surely to God the United States Navy didn't use tubs like this in World War Two. Did they? Enjoyable film, not in a small part because of all the familiar old faces. A few amusing moments were to be had, but I imagine the thing would have been a laugh riot 50 years ago.

I wish this movie was on tape so I could get a copy to enjoy again. This was the first movie that I saw with one of my favorite actors. Charles Bronson although he was listed by his real name (Charles Buchinski) in the movie. I also just found out that Lee Marvin was also in this movie.