Gift Horse

Overview

Compton Bennett’s war drama, Gift Horse, chronicles the journey of the aging destroyer, The Ballantrae, and her dedicated crew from their initial assembly in 1940 to the intense raid on occupied St. Nazaire in 1942. Trevor Howard stars as Lt. Cmdr. Hugh Alginon Fraser, a captain returning to duty after facing a court martial that led him to leave the navy. The film captures the camaraderie and challenges faced by the crew amid the backdrop of wartime, highlighting themes of redemption and sacrifice.