The Silver Fleet was inspired by a true story from World War II. Holland now under German occupation, a Shipyard owner and Chief engineer Jaap van Leyden is summoned to build ships for the German war effort. The commission would allow Leyden to build sophisticated submarines whilst safeguarding jobs for the local Dutch workforce. A newly built U-boat, named U107 goes out on her first sea trial and is hijacked by a Dutch crew and they re-route the vessel to England. As such it provided an opportunity to refuel patriotism in the face of a seemingly interminable war and almost unbearable civilian hardship.

Ralph Richardson
as Jaap van Leyden

Googie Withers
as Helène van Leyden

Esmond Knight
as Von Schiffer

Beresford Egan
as Krampf

Frederick Burtwell
as Captain Müller

Kathleen Byron
as Schoolmistress

Willem Akkerman
as Willem van Leyden

Dorothy Gordon
as Janni Peters

Charles Victor
as Bastiaan Peters

John Longden
as Jost Meertens