John Wayne takes an unusual role in this vigorous but too uneventful war drama, as a skipper determined to steer his ship back to Germany despite a British blockade.

The Wayne-Lana Turner combination doesn't quite ignite the sparks you'd expect, but there's a colourful supporting cast that includes David Farrar, Lyle Bettger, Tab Hunter, James Arness, John Qualen, Paul Fix and Claude Akins.

All the king's men, however, couldn't quite keep this one together.