In addition to assembling an outstanding cast, Coward also enlisted the superb talents of Ronald Neame (cinematographer) and Thelma Myers (editor). Those who have at least some familiarity with Coward's talents as a writer and performer should not be surprised that ‘In Which We Serve’ has such a well-written screenplay and is thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.
Next to Coward, the single most important of the film's characters is Shorty Blake, played by Sir John Mills. A little piece of interesting detail is that John Mills own daughter Juliet appears as he daughter in the film. It was also one of Lord Attenboroughs first films – he plays a small role – but does it extremely well. The much under-rated James Donald plays the ships doctor – the poor fellow was so type cast in medical roles he perhaps should have been given an honorary MD by someone…