Nearing the end of the war, a stranded survivor (Murphy - O'Toole) of a callous U-Boat attack, takes refuge at a mission where he encounters portly Frenchman Noiret and his salvage boat, and kindly doctor Phillips who tries in vain to dissuade him from pursuing vengeance at all costs.
Along with the aforesaid cast, Horst Jonson is effective as the U-Boat skipper reluctantly carrying out orders (executions), discovering belligerent Irish bloody-mindedness as Murphy becomes an unwelcome distraction, graduating from persistent nuisance to mortal threat. Noiret and Phillips are both outstanding as they become unwitting accomplices in Murphy's escalating obsession with revenge, and Noiret's final words of wisdom for the now-maniacal Murphy are prophetic.
Nicely photographed and exceptionally well-acted, the now largely neglected 'Murphy's War' is a masterclass of character study, brought to life by exceptional talent under the guidance of Yates' safe hands and eye for detail. Momentum is occasionally an issue, but there's plenty of tension and feeling when it counts.
Along with the aforesaid cast, Horst Jonson is effective as the U-Boat skipper reluctantly carrying out orders (executions), discovering belligerent Irish bloody-mindedness as Murphy becomes an unwelcome distraction, graduating from persistent nuisance to mortal threat. Noiret and Phillips are both outstanding as they become unwitting accomplices in Murphy's escalating obsession with revenge, and Noiret's final words of wisdom for the now-maniacal Murphy are prophetic.
Nicely photographed and exceptionally well-acted, the now largely neglected 'Murphy's War' is a masterclass of character study, brought to life by exceptional talent under the guidance of Yates' safe hands and eye for detail. Momentum is occasionally an issue, but there's plenty of tension and feeling when it counts.