Gift Horse

Year: 1952

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Compton Bennett

DramaWarAdventure

Compton Bennett’s war drama follows the ageing destroyer The Ballantrae and her crew, tracking their fortunes from their assembly in 1940 through to the daring 1942 raid on occupied St Nazaire. Trevor Howard portrays Lt. Cmdr. Hugh Alginon Fraser, a newly appointed captain returning to service after a court‑martial that forced him out of the navy.

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Wartime leadership dramas like Gift Horse

Stories about leaders carrying immense burdens in grim, high-stakes scenarios.Explore movies like Gift Horse that delve into the heavy burdens of military command. These similar war stories feature stoic leaders, high-stakes suicide missions, and the emotional weight of sacrifice, perfect for viewers seeking tense, gritty dramas about responsibility in the face of overwhelming odds.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a leader—often flawed or seeking redemption—as they grapple with the immense pressure of their role. The plot is driven by a series of escalating crises, testing their resolve and character, and culminating in a mission or event that carries a profound personal and collective cost.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves assembling a team for a specific, dangerous objective. The story follows their training, conflicts, and gradual coalescence into a cohesive unit. The climax is the mission itself, which is less about triumphant victory and more about the noble, costly fulfillment of duty, leaving a bittersweet feeling of unity achieved through shared sacrifice.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Gift Horse

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More About Gift Horse

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Discover movies like Gift Horse that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.