We Dive at Dawn

We Dive at Dawn

Year: 1943

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: English

Director: Anthony Asquith

DramaActionWar

A tense WWII under‑sea drama set in the Baltic. Lieutenant Freddie Taylor (John Mills) leads the British submarine Sea Tiger on a secret sortie to intercept the German battleship Brandenburg. After a clash with a German destroyer the sub is crippled and fuel‑leaking, forcing the crew to face a desperate escape plan devised by seaman James Hobson as they race toward the Danish coast.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen We Dive at Dawn yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – We Dive at Dawn (1943)

Trace every key event in We Dive at Dawn (1943) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Leave granted after failed patrol

April 1942 marks a pause for the Sea Tiger as Lieutenant Freddie Taylor and the crew are granted a week's leave after an unsuccessful patrol. Leading Seaman Hobson goes home to save his marriage, while Corrigan departs for his wedding in London. The men brace for recall, knowing the war waits for no one.

April 1942 Sea Tiger
2

Corrigan heads to his London wedding

Corrigan travels to London for his wedding, reluctant to leave the Sea Tiger crew behind. Hobson wishes him well and tries to comfort him. The journey foreshadows the looming recall and the mission to come.

During leave (pre-recall) London
3

Recalled early

Shortly after their leave begins, the Sea Tiger is recalled to duty. Corrigan is relieved to be recalled but regrets not completing his marriage.

April 1942 Sea Tiger
4

Secret mission assigned

The Sea Tiger is given a top-secret mission to sink the Brandenburg before she transits the Kiel Canal. The order arrives with urgency and the crew must put to sea immediately. The chase for the Brandenburg begins.

April 1942, immediate departure North Sea
5

Rescue and radio-busting across the North Sea

While crossing the North Sea, Sea Tiger rescues three shot-down Luftwaffe pilots from a rescue buoy. The submarine prevents their radio alert from reaching German forces, preserving the mission's stealth.

During crossing North Sea
6

Minefield and airman death

Entering a German minefield, an airman panics and reveals Brandenburg's location. He is attacked by a countryman and dies, adding urgency to the pursuit.

During approach to Brandenburg Baltic Sea vicinity
7

Desperate gamble to chase Brandenburg

Taylor makes a desperate decision to pursue the Brandenburg into the German-controlled Baltic Sea. The crew steels themselves for a perilous chase.

April 1942 Baltic Sea
8

Brandenburg spotted and torpedo attack

The Brandenburg is spotted and Sea Tiger fires all its torpedoes, then dives as German destroyers drop depth charges. The attack is cut short, forcing a rapid escape.

During engagement Baltic Sea
9

Oil deception and assumed sinking

To mislead the German forces, Sea Tiger expels oil and debris, including the airman’s body, giving the illusion that the submarine has sunk. The ruse works, but the vessel is left with insufficient oil to reach Britain.

After the engagement Baltic Sea / sea surface
10

Abandon ship at Danish island

With their ruse successful, Taylor orders the crew to abandon ship on the Danish island of Hågø (Baagø). Hobson volunteers to go ashore and search for oil.

Post-engagement Hågø, Denmark
11

Refueling harbour

Hobson and others hold off the German garrison while Sea Tiger slips into the harbour under cover of darkness and refuels with help from friendly Danish sailors.

During refueling Hågø harbour
12

Casualties and return to submarine

Pincher is killed; Oxford and Lieutenant Johnson are wounded, but the crew makes it back to the refueled Sea Tiger and starts to depart.

During departure Hågø harbour
13

Tanker hit and departure

As they leave, the tanker used for refueling is hit by German shells and catches fire. Taylor chooses to risk the Sea Tiger and press on to sea.

During exit Off Hågø harbour
14

Return and Brandenburg sunk

On the journey back to Britain, an escorting trawler informs them that Brandenburg has been sunk. The crew feels vindicated and gains relief as they head home.

Post-engagement En route to Britain
15

Home base and Jolly Roger

Sea Tiger returns to base, flying the Jolly Roger for the first time as a symbol of their victory.

Final Home base

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:49

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Claustrophobic Submarine Thrillers like We Dive at Dawn

Tense undersea missions where crews fight for survival in tight metal tubes.If you liked the tense, confined action of We Dive at Dawn, explore more movies about submarine warfare and survival. These films share a high-stakes, claustrophobic feel, focusing on crews facing desperate missions and technical crises deep beneath the waves. Discover similar stories of bravery and strategy under extreme pressure.

claustrophobictenseanxioustechnicaldesperateurgentcrew camaraderiemilitary strategy

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a highly skilled crew on a critical mission that goes awry, often due to enemy action or mechanical failure. The plot is a linear, fast-paced race against time, with the submarine itself becoming both sanctuary and tomb. Character arcs are collective, emphasizing the bond and interdependence of the crew as they navigate one crisis after another.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique setting and the specific type of tension it creates. They share a high-intensity, technically detailed approach to survival, where the enemy is often unseen and the environment is a constant threat. The mood is consistently anxious and desperate, with a focus on procedural detail and collective resilience.

Military Mission Dramas with high stakes like We Dive at Dawn

Stories of specialized units facing impossible odds with heavy consequences.Fans of the desperate mission and crew camaraderie in We Dive at Dawn will enjoy these other high-stakes military dramas. These movies feature specialized teams, clear objectives, and intense sequences of combat and survival. Find similar stories of bravery, strategy, and the heavy burden of command.

urgentdeterminedsomberwartimecrew camaraderiesacrificestrategicsuspenseful

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is straightforward: a clear objective is established, a team is assembled or is already a cohesive unit, and they embark on a mission that immediately encounters complications. The story is driven by a series of escalating challenges that test the team's skill, morale, and resolve, often culminating in a narrow escape or hard-won victory that affirms their sacrifice.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their focus on a single, critical mission as the central plot engine. They share a fast pace, high intensity, and a tone of serious urgency. The emotional journey is one of collective strain and determined resilience, emphasizing the bonds formed in combat and the heavy responsibility of the task.

Unlock the Full Story of We Dive at Dawn

Don't stop at just watching — explore We Dive at Dawn in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what We Dive at Dawn is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

We Dive at Dawn Summary

Read a complete plot summary of We Dive at Dawn, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

We Dive at Dawn Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in We Dive at Dawn

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape We Dive at Dawn. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in We Dive at Dawn

We Dive at Dawn Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of We Dive at Dawn that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

We Dive at Dawn Spoiler-Free Summary

More About We Dive at Dawn

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about We Dive at Dawn: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About We Dive at Dawn

Similar Movies to We Dive at Dawn

Discover movies like We Dive at Dawn 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.