Discuss Depth Charge

Depth Charge (1960) This very moderate supporting feature may interest those who follow career paths. It was the film that started the careers of several filmmakers. Its major asset has got to be a fine Music Score by first-time film composer Stephen Dodgson (it also seems to represent his last film score?).

Very little information can be found for this rare composer whose music serves to give this film a look and sound, far above its meager budget. His rather lush Main Title Theme paints a descriptive seascape, playing over the shot of a Trawler setting seaward.

The arrangements feature a large orchestra of Bass Cellos, Violins, and Oboe ~ conducted by the prolific Muir Mathieson (himself known to have written scores for film). Apart from having been a guest on the BBC's "Face the Music" series in 1975, information about Mr Dodgson's film work seems scant. I, for one, would like to know/hear more of this apparently talented man's work. Is there anyone with more to tell us?

The film also marked the first Directorial and Co-Writing effort for Jeremy Summers, who went on to Direct several features and numerous popular TV series, including; The Bill - The Saint - Danger Man - Riptide - All Creatures Great and Small - Coronation Street, Etc.....

It was another first for the Producer: James Mellor, who then concentrated on an Acting career in Features and TV series. His cinema work included: The Oblong Box - Marat Sade, etc. With TV appearances in Z Cars - Softly Softly - Oneden Line - Dr Who, etc.

Yet another first for the Associate Producer and Co-Writer, Kenneth Talbot. Talbot became a highly esteemed Cinematographer known for the outdoor epic Born Free. Other features include Doomwatch—Hands of the Ripper—along with TVs Tarzan, etc.

In the Acting field, it was the first Feature for two of its stars: J. Mark Roberts, who's also known for TV work; Dr. Finlay’s Casebook - etc. The second Actor is Alex Allen (who also appears to have been his last...?) Other cast members included veteran performer: Alex McCrindle who made appearances in: Eye of the Needle, and Star Wars Ep 1V 'A New Hope' etc. It marked the 3rd film for David Orr who had roles in 'The Night My Number Came Up' and TV's Dr.Finlays Casebook ~ among others.

Depth Charge is almost never screened on TV. On one occasion it was programmed for a Midnight to Dawn slot on Australian TV but was substituted at the last minute (no explanation given). OK, it may not be a world beater, but being based on a factual incident, it would be good to re-visit. It's an easy fill-in at 55mins, even if just to hear that interesting (well above its station) Main Theme once more. Anyone?

2 replies (on page 1 of 1)

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Are you the person on IMDb who reviewed this movie? If not, you should credit them since the review (comment) is exactly the same!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0204995/reviews?ref_=tt_urv

Please settle down there Bratface; yes, mine is the only comment on IMDb, one I posted some years ago...I only re-visited it the other day because I was checking to see if anyone may have added any further information for it. It seems this little film attracted very little attention and we are not about to see it again anytime soon, and I doubt ever. It was the highly effective Main Title score that attracted me to this work and it stayed with me over all these years. It's a great shame that some worthy creative endeavors get thrown away and never fully appreciated.

In the same way, the award-winning German film "Das Feurerschiff" (The Lightship '63), just a few years after Depth Charge 1960, has been locked away (likely for ridiculous political reasons) - If you are UK or US-based, you may have caught it on TV as "Crime On The High Seas". I also noticed that Depth Charge'60 now has an entry on Studio Canal's site. This massive company has taken control of numerous titles from all over the world, not that this means we will have much more chance of seeing it again, but at least it's a mention. Thanks for your concerned reply. KR

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