Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Acclaimed WWII Naval Thriller ‘Greyhound’ Starring Tom Hanks Garners Online Praise
Starring Tom Hanks, the World War II naval thriller Greyhound is receiving widespread acclaim online. Viewers are lauding the film as “excellent” and “immersive,” particularly praising its streamlined approach and sustained tension.
Film Overview
Originally launched in July 2020, Greyhound is adapted from The Good Shepherd, a 1955 novel penned by British-American author C.S. Forester.
Synopsis: Perilous Mission in the Atlantic
The movie centers on a fictionalized depiction of the Battle of the Atlantic, highlighting a perilous naval undertaking during the war. It follows an Allied convoy’s crossing of “The Black Pit,” a dangerous mid-Atlantic area beyond aerial protection and heavily targeted by German U-boats.
Tom Hanks as Commander Ernest Krause
Tom Hanks portrays Commander Ernest Krause, a newly appointed captain tasked with leading the convoy through treacherous seas. Krause must grapple with exhaustion, self-doubt, and the immense responsibility for the lives of hundreds of sailors under his command.
Hanks’s Screenwriting Role
The screenplay was crafted by Hanks himself, marking his third screenwriting credit following That Thing You Do! (1996) and Larry Crowne (2011).
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Direction and Narrative Style
Directed by Aaron Schneider, Greyhound stands out for its real-time pacing and concise 91-minute duration. The narrative unfolds almost entirely within the confines of the USS Keeling (the Greyhound), the lead destroyer, eschewing flashbacks, subplots, or scenes away from the vessel.
Focus on Tense Shipboard Action
The film rigorously maintains its concentration on Krause’s crucial decisions, the constant radio communications of sonar personnel, and the strategic maneuvers required to fend off a coordinated enemy assault.
Release and Reception
Greyhound was initially intended for theatrical distribution by Sony Pictures. However, the planned cinema release was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Move to Streaming on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ secured the distribution rights for $70 million, and the movie premiered on the streaming service on July 10, 2020. It rapidly became one of the platform’s most-watched original films at that time.
Critical and Audience Scores
Critical response to Greyhound has been largely favorable. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a 78% score on the Tomatometer, based on over 250 reviews. The audience score is registered at 76%.
Viewer Testimonials
Viewers have expressed strong positive reactions, emphasizing the film’s immersive qualities and intense atmosphere.
- One viewer commented: “Was on the edge of my seat for 90% of the movie! Loved it! My only frustration was that I did not comprehend all of the fast and hectic naval jargon. But nevertheless the excitement and thrill was fully understood. A sequel? Yes, please!”
- Another noted: “One of the most immersive war films ever, possibly more immersive than Saving Private Ryan even. Sure, a thin background context and little in the way of deep human relationships but that’s not the point – it takes the viewer to the heart of one of the scariest places to be in WW2 and keeps you there.” They added praise for the film’s ability to create sustained tension and Hanks’s performance.
- Another viewer lauded the film’s educational and historical value: “Excellent film! The quality of the graphics was amazing. It made me feel like I was there. I love this movie because it helps people nowadays see what the soldiers and sailors had to go through in WWII. I highly recommend that you see this film.”
Accolades
Greyhound received a nomination for Best Sound at the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021 and earned two BAFTA nominations.