The Battle of the River Plate (movie)

The Battle of the River Plate (US title:Pursuit of the Graf Spee) is a 1956 British movie written, produced, and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It portrays the eponymous naval battle of 1939, between a Commonwealth force of three cruisers (HMS Exeter, HMS Ajax and HMNZS Achilles) and the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee.

Unlike most British war movies of the time, The Battle of the River Plate is notable in treating the German sailors as honourable opponents rather than as cardboard cut-out "Huns".

The ships engaged in the battle were portrayed by:

• HMS Cumberland portrayed herself and Exeter
• HMS Sheffield portrayed Ajax
• INS Delhi (formerly HMNZS Achilles) portrayed herself
• USS Salem portrayed Admiral Graf Spee.

HMS Birmingham was used by the production as a camera ship.