An atmospheric "confined space" drama, with John Mills in one of his best roles as the commander of a submarine that's holed by a mine and plunges to the sea bed. Twelve crew members survive the initial impact but - and here's the hook - only eight will be able to use the escape equipment. Everyone is admirably stoic, apart from Richard Attenborough, playing a weak-willed stoker with his trademark intensity. The passage of time has made some of the crew resemble caricatures, yet it's still engrossing stuff.

The crew of a submarine is trapped on the sea floor when it sinks. How can they be rescued before they run out of air?