Absorbing WWII story of the Merchant Marines in action...
Despite plenty of wartime propaganda and the usual amount of clichés and other staples of WWII action melodramas, ACTION IN THE NORTH Atlantic is given a boost by some of the best staged action scenes ever featured in a Warner Bros. movie of that era.

The realism is startling considering that special effects then included no computer engineering. The script is basically the story of U.S. Merchant Marine survivors of a battle determined to sink the ship that ruthlessly cut into their lifeboat. The climax has them getting their revenge on the Germans after a fierce battle that concludes with the Americans and their farewell ceremonies to shipmates killed during battle. Bogart is given some flag-waving lines to read and the film concludes with a commentary using FDR's voice to salute the Merchant Marines and their contribution to the war effort.

Lloyd Bacon directs with a firm, vigorous treatment of all the battle scenes and only occasionally does the film slow down when dealing with the domestic front. Julie Bishop does a nice job as Bogart's girlfriend and later wife, while Raymond Massey shares his domestic homecoming with Ruth Gordon as his wife. But the film's merits are chiefly due to the action sequences, which are by far among the best ever featured in a Bogart film.

Action is what you get here...but don't expect anything deep. Bogart fans won't be disappointed. Dane Clark plays his usual hothead role with gusto and Alan Hale is a welcome addition to the supporting cast.

A Classic WW2 movie
This movie should be ranked up there with some of the better WW2 films. It doesn't have the cast of thousands, but it has a quality cast which brings you "there". Viewers are drawn into a war drama tale worth telling. This is real classic movie entertainment.

Far beyond a simbolic flag's salute!

Under the perspective of more than sixty elapsed years, you mistakenly should be able to consider this film was simply a morale-booster picture and a well deserved tribute in honor to the merchant Marine.

But if you or me try to make a journey through the time and intend to comprehend, the special significance of this determinant year (1943), maybe you should to reconsider your initial premise. On the other hand, What else could it be done at that decisive year?

A fine cast and a dazzling set of special effects for those Ages make of this movie a sensible but sincere homage in memory of so many bold and brave men who died for a better world.

Fine direction of Lloyd Bacon.

Excellent Sea Action
Fans of Bogart or war movies will definitely want to see this one. IMHO one of the best WWII movies made. Along with "Casablanca", "African Queen", "Caine Mutiny", and "Sahara", this was one of the all time great war movies that Bogart created a believeable character you enjoyed watching. The support cast round out the movie and add the the subplots that are needed to give an in depth look at the Merchant Marine. To few movies show groups of people, like the Merchant Marine, that were a large part of why we won wars. I salute them since they don't receive the recognition they deserve. We are quick to erect statues of fighting heroes, but not so quick to honor those that fought by supporting the troops with supplies, construction, first aid, and much more. If you enjoy this be sure catch John Wayne in "The Fighting Seabees". It amazes me that the rights owners of this wonderful movie have not put it on DVD. This will certainly sell as well as any classic John Wayne movie. I always wonder why so much junk is on DVD, but excellent movies like this are only on VHS or out of print (OOP). I love WWII movies and you need a variety to truly appreciate what happened. Movies like "Mrs. Miniver", "Three Came Home" and "Go for Broke" are not mainstream for everyone, but like this movie they give a better idea of the real people that made up not only our fighting forces but the civilian war effort as well. God bless the Merchant Marine. I know what you did has never been fully appreciated. I think movies like this help to make people get a glimmer of what really happened and how we all owe a debt to the Merchant Marines.

Appropriate Tribute to a Deserving Group
There weren't a great deal of movies about the auxillary outfits that aided the war effort abroad in WWII. John Wayne's "The Fighting Seabees" comes to mind as well as a Martha Raye USO picture or two. However, "Action in the North Atlantic" qualifies as sort of the epic picture of the limited genre. It's about the Merchant Marines and it stars Humphrey Bogart in a somewhat subdued yet very effective role. There's a fair amount of naval action as well as a lot of shipmate camaradarie, and even a romantic interlude (don't worry, it's not on the ship). We get a sense that these men are preforming a vital task at a high risk to themselves.

Besides Bogart, there is an interesting array of actors with Alan Hale and Raymond Massey as the other two names that might be recognized. The actors portray a diverse group of individuals who know their jobs and believe in what they're doing. There's one scene in particular where Bogart officiates (substituting for the wounded captain) at a funeral at sea service. There is a strong homily that he delevers that seems to be the high point of the movie. It is well done and forceful in the Bogart way.

"Action in the North Atlantic" may seem a bit long but it had a story to tell to a nation that needed to hear it and at a time it needed to be said. So what if it took an extra 20 minutes in doing so.