The Cold War on Film: 'The Bedford Incident' - Farragut Destroyer vs. USSR Submarine

[Salvage Sailor]

Aloha Everyone,

 

Among the best of the Naval Cold War films produced from 1946 to 1991 is 'The Bedford Incident', the tale of pushing too hard and suffering the consequences of your unintended actions.

 

Fantasy pulp fiction cover art

 

The film has many scenes depicting life at sea aboard a Farragut class guided missile destroyer with great shots of our gear being worn and used circa 1960's, most of it being excess WWII & Korean War produced gear.

 

BEDFORD INCIDENT, THE - (ORIGINAL TRAILER)

 

 

 

 

 

It was well known amongst the sailors of the Cold War fleets that if tactical Nukes were ever used, it would be at Sea,

where the only victims would be Sailors & fish, not European populations and cities........No joke

 

[gparlin]

I saw this film at Los Alamitos Navel Air Station when it came out.  You could cut the atmosphere with a knife, it was really intense and not a word was spoken at the end of the film.  I highly recommend this one.  Gregg 

[aerialbridge]

One of Oddball's earliest movie appearances, and arguably the first small role in a major movie.   Atypical roles for Mr. Peepers and Danno.   A good flick all the way around and probably influenced by Dr. Strangelove.

[29navy]

Of course, they didn't use any US ships.  Don't think the USN wanted to support this movie.  The shipboard interior scenes were filmed aboard a HMS Troubridge, a Type 15 British frigate. The exterior scenes showing Sidney Poitier's initial flypast and landing were filmed around HMS Wakeful, another Type 15 frigate. This ship has the designation F159; the number can be clearly seen painted on the hull.