“The truth is that a Nation will only live as long as it has people ready to die”
The Silver Fleet was inspired by a true story from World War II. Holland now under German occupation, a Shipyard owner and Chief engineer Jaap van Leyden is summoned to build ships for the German war effort. The commission would allow Leyden to build sophisticated submarines whilst safeguarding jobs for the local Dutch workforce. A newly built U-boat, named U107 goes out on her first sea trial and is hijacked by a Dutch crew and they re-route the vessel to England. As such it provided an opportunity to refuel patriotism in the face of a seemingly interminable war and almost unbearable civilian hardship.
Directed by Vernon Sewell
Ralph Richardson
Jaap van Leyden
Googie Withers
Helène van Leyden
Esmond Knight
Von Schiffer
Beresford Egan
Krampf
Frederick Burtwell
Captain Müller
Kathleen Byron
Schoolmistress
Willem Akkerman
Willem van Leyden
Dorothy Gordon
Janni Peters
