Analysis:

Already acclaimed in the theatre, Noël Coward was approached by film producers Anthony Havelock-Allan and Filippo del Giudice to make a film, on any subject he wanted.

Coward had been enthralled to hear Lord Mountbatten speak about the sinking of his ship, HMS Kelly, and thought it would make an effective film story. Coward needed a good technician to help him and David Lean was recommended as being the best in the business.

In Which We Serve (1942) was Lean's first directorial credit, after more than a decade as a highly respected editor. He had already declined several offers to direct 'quota quickies', fearing that becoming associated with inferior films could damage his career.

Coward's first script was much too long, but he eventually came up with the idea of the Carley float as a device to flashback to some of the best scenes he had written, focusing on just three of the survivors.

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