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In this French war drama, a battleship captain tries to keep an enemy cruiser from sinking his vessel; he then must defend his honor during a court-martial. Much of the tale is told in flashback and centers not only on the battle itself, but also on the young woman who is having an affair with a younger officer. It is her very indiscretions that ironically save the captain from being drummed out of the service. (Loving the Classics)