The Sinking of the Laconia

Peter McGinn

I didn’t find this two-part series to be compelling viewing, and in fact it barely held my attention enough to allow me to finish watching it. I was not offended by the layered character study presented here of a German U-Boat captain who is allowed a thoughtful and human response to learning of the number of civilians on the ship he has sunk, including women and children. It does seemed out of balance with the nearly cameo appearance of the American pilots who ignore the Red Cross displayed and attack the sub. They have no qualms, no troubling doubts. I also was less than impressed with how the dialogue for the personal stories lapsed frequently into almost melodramatic cliches. It comes off to me as them trying to have it both ways, serving up both historical details and soap opera-ish interactions. The two strands of plot make for awkward dance partners.