The Bedford Incident
Although by this point Sidney Poitier had been making films for 15 years, this was the first film he made in which his race was neither mentioned nor relevant.,The modelers used a FARRAGUT Class ship for the fictitious BEDFORD. US Navy officers with the rank of Commander (O-5) are Commanding Officers (CO) of FARRAGUT class Frigates/ Destroyer Leaders. Eric Finlander (Richard Widmark) wore the rank of Captain (O-6). Note: in the Navy, the term "Captain" represents rank O-6 and the title for the Commanding Officer of a ship. Those holding the rank of Captain include officers in the Supply, Medical, Dental, Judge Advocate, Chaplain, Nurse, and other Staff Corps as well those in the SEALS, Aviation, & Submarine warfare communities. To complicate the issue, generally, ship COs who hold the rank of Lieutenant Commander (O-4) are often called "Skipper" instead of "Captain", and Captains (the rank) who Command Squadrons use the title Commodore. So, not all ship COs earned the rank of Captain, not all officers with rank of Captain are ship COs, not all COs are called Captain, and some Captains are called Commodores.,[after Finlander orders an anti-submarine rocket armed]
Commodore Schrepke: This is insane!
Captain Finlander: Now don't worry, Commodore. The Bedford'll never fire first. But if he fires one, I'll fire one.
Ensign Ralston: [launching the rocket] Fire One!,Reportedly, there are two versions with different endings. One version ends with a missile being fired and a torpedo being released from the sub seconds before. In another version the sub is destroyed, and later that evening the German commodore is found aiming a .45 at the nose cone of a live missile. The captain asks why, the commodore gives some reply and pulls the trigger. Mr. Munceford is blown over the side, but survives.,Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Cold War Movies (2014),The Cold War is one of the world's most frightening conflicts ever as it nearly extinguished humanity. During this time, suspicious nations rattled atomic sabers at one another and secret agencies scurried about disseminating Ideological propaganda and psychological warfare, but for the most part the only thing accomplished was that Americans spent billions threatening a distant enemy who ultimately became our friend. One exceptional film which appear during this era, was " The Bedford Incident." It is the story of an American reporter Ben Munceford (Sidney Poitier) who seeks out a controversial naval officer, because he believes him to be a rare individual. That particular man is Captain Eric Finlander. (Richard Widmark) a no-nonsense commander who is determined to do his duty, even if it means destroying a stray Russian Submarine, armed with nuclear missiles. While Munceford is trying to fathom the Captain, he notices everyone under Finlander's command is being subjected to increasing pressure, enormous stress and intolerable strain to remain on high alert as if war could be initiated at any time. From an audience point of view, the tension on board the Bedford, mirrors the terrifying state of fear in the world. Helping the audience analyze the situation is Lieut. Cmdr. Chester Potter (Martin Balsam) a naval Doctor who warns the Captain of mounting psychological dangers of his crew. One such officer is Ensign Ralston (James MacArthur) who the doctor warns is wound 'too tight' to be on duty. Another is Seaman Merlin Queffle (Wally Cox) who believes he controls the ship. This is a remarkable film, for it's characters, it's drama and eventually it's inevitable ending. It's a reminder, the fears we create are as real as our nightmares. ****,