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Submarines: The Silent Service in World War II

Various (Director) Format: DVD
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 42 ratings
Additional DVD options Edition Discs
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DVD
February 21, 2020 		—
1
$15.95
$15.95 $6.56
DVD
July 18, 2005
Collector's Edition
1
—
— $2.80
Genre Military & War
Format Black & White, Collector's Edition, Restored, NTSC
Contributor Various
Runtime 1 hour and 30 minutes
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Product Description

The sneak attack on Pearl Harbor destroyed most of America's Pacific Fleet. Untouched were America's submarines. They would inflict catastrophic losses on the Japanese in World War II.

Featured on this DVD are five rare U.S. Navy films made in the WWII era — including a full COLOR film — showcasing the capabilities that led to America's triumph in the Pacific war. Watch a rare, silent newsreel of the recovery of the USS Squalus and its crew after a diving accident.

See recruits train for action in the pre-war silent service, and watch rare FULL COLOR WWII combat footage as U.S. fleet boats enter Japanese home waters, operating with impunity and sinking everything in sight.

Also featured is a film showing one of the great triumphs of the anti-submarine war in the Atlantic: the capture of the Nazi U-505 at sea.

The DVD concludes with a showcase of post-war developments including the launch of the nuclear Nautilus.

Digitally remastered and restored from original 16mm prints, many of these films have never been available to the public, and some have only recently been declassified. Please note, due to their age and rarity, image and sound quality can vary.

All films are black and white and COLOR. Running time: 90 minutes.

IMPORTANT: This DVD is presented in the DVD-R format. It may not be compatible with older DVD players. Please check your DVD player's manual for more information.

Product details

  • Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.1 x 5.42 x 0.58 inches; 2.93 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Various
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Black & White, Collector's Edition, Restored, NTSC
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ July 18, 2005
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Periscope Film
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000AB0Z2W
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5
42 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

John V. Utterback
5.0 out of 5 stars Serious look at WW2 sub warfare
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2014
Verified Purchase
I thought this was a very good look at the real life daily experiences of the Silent Service. My father was a submariner in the Pacific during WW2 but he rarely spoke of his service time, save for some routine things. I was hoping to get even a glimpse of his boat, the Sea Robin, SS407 but that didn't happen. Still, this was a fine film and very well worth the price, not to mention seeing over and over again.
Dad's boat was reported missing in action for 10 days during the course of his second combat patrol but after repeated questioning from the family about it, all he would ever say was, "I knew exactly where I was", and the subject was dropped without another word. Now I have a feel for why he was the way he was about his time in combat.
An excellent film that leaves you wanting to know even more about the Silent Service.
6 people found this helpful
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skiandgolfbum
1.0 out of 5 stars Not what I thought it was.
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2023
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This is really a collection of about 7 short videos in one. I actually received two copies of this and did not receive one of the videos which was part of another order. I can return this which I will but I am owed another video which was part of another order. Disapointed.
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txtmblweed
5.0 out of 5 stars but better! The interviews with the Japanese business leaders on ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2016
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Not the 1950 TV series, but better! The interviews with the Japanese business leaders on how successful our subs were was outstanding. This video got the point across about why the secrecy (silence) on how effective our submarines actually were in the WWII Pacific. The Japanese still had many spies in and around Hawaii that kept watch over our fleet, hence the refueling and rearming of subs at sea or Wake and Guam. Excellent video, full of tactical information about submarine warfare. I love it!
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Joe David Solis
5.0 out of 5 stars The Silent Service: Submarines of WWII
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2008
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This beautifully packaged DVD is a revelation because it includes several different B&W films including actual full-color footage taken on the USS SCULPIN with its, then, Cmdr. who was later killed while on deck shooting at the Japanese enemy; Submariners between War Patrols relaxing at The Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki, etc. Also, the reproduction availability of WWII Fleet Type Submarine manual and supplement, as well as other products beautifully demonstrated. All in all, a great issue/find!
20 people found this helpful
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kSetuni
1.0 out of 5 stars It was certainly a major disappointment.
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2016
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For the cost it was way too short and showed limited footage. It was expected to run far longer than it did. One "scene" was all of 3 minutes long I thought I missed something. It was certainly a major disappointment.
3 people found this helpful
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J. McG
5.0 out of 5 stars My husband thought this was a great DVD.
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2009
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My husband was pleasantly surprised by this DVD - he loved it. My 8 year old son sat and watched it too. I thought it might be a little old for him but he sat through the whole thing and shushed us if we made any noise.
9 people found this helpful
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Samuel Shapiro
3.0 out of 5 stars Original U.S. Navy WW II Films about Submarines
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2012
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This dvd is made up of various U.S. Navy short films documenting service aboard World War II submarines. Some of these documentaries were shown to recruits as they began training for the Silent Service, while others were made mainly for civilians, arguably to boost morale at home and to sell war bonds. None of them show the complete picture of life aboard submarines, but that's understandable given the secrecy in which they had to operate. The dvd could have been made better if it included some more detailed post war films after they were de-classified. If you're looking for an action/adventure film, this one isn't for you. However, if you like history and want to see the kind of fare the Navy was producing during, and shortly after, the war, this dvd provides some good examples.
10 people found this helpful
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Tim Bates
4.0 out of 5 stars Better than i thought it would be.
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2013
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The video documentary gives a over view of the US submarine activity in WW2. It is surprisingly thorough for the casual observer. Not much film was made of submarine actions but the film has collected most of it. I found the video very good to excellent.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

David McIntyre
5.0 out of 5 stars SUBMARINES
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2012
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These DVDs are well worth watching,well made and you get a lot for your money,while the second world war is well covered Japanese boats,U boats,allied boats etc,good narration with good footage makes them something you will watch more than once.Not in the title but also covered is the cold war,very good footage of modern boats including soviet boats (very sharp)modern German u boats,the jump to Nuclear propulsion,Cuban missile crisis,all of this and a lot of very interesting interviews make this set well above average when it comes to the Submarine genre,they are American made documentaries so the U.S.N.is predominate,highly recommended.
4 people found this helpful
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Steven Daedalus
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Job.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 25, 2013
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The set does what it promises to do -- provide a good overall coverage of the use of submarines in World War II. (There is also a good deal of material on the structure and function of modern submarines, mostly American.) Some more specialized subjects are given attention too -- the evolution of the submarine and the torpedo, the war-time exploits of some especially adventurous submarine skippers, and so forth. It's informative and enjoyable, if you're interested in the subject at all.
One person found this helpful
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Mrs Cullen
5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs Cullen
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2012
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Bought these for my Dad for Christmas from the Grandchildren. Wow! He loves these DVD's and spends far too long (according to my Mum) watching them whenever he gets a chance. Dad has said they are very informative with some great images of the submarines he loves so much. Definitely recommend.
3 people found this helpful
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roy
5.0 out of 5 stars the war subs
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2013
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i chose this product because I am interested in this sort of thing I think the subs
had a good part in the war it looks at the way they operated etc
I would definitely recommend it to other people if they wanted
to see it
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R. Stephens
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2013
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This is a short review as quite simply this is one of the best Submarine programmes
I have ever seen superbly produced, excellent quality and highly informative.... can not fault it anywhere
if you do purchase you wont be disappointed A +++++
5 people found this helpful
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