The Silent World (1956): cast, story & where to watch
1956 · Film · ★ 6.2
Released in 1956, The Silent World is an adventure and documentary film directed by Louis Malle, running about 86 minutes. “Out of an uncharted universe comes an experience of unearthly beauty” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The Silent World is noted as one of the first films to use underwater cinematography to show the ocean depths in color. Its title derives from Cousteau's 1953 book The Silent World: A Story of Undersea Discovery and Adventure. The film was shot aboard the ship Calypso. A team of divers shot 25 kilometers of film over two years in the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, of which 2.5 kilometers were included in the finished documentary.
Who’s in it. The Silent World stars Jacques-Yves Cousteau as himself.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, The Silent World has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Silent World page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Silent World tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception, Interstellar and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Silent World (1956)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Silent World change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Silent World worth watching?
- The Silent World holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy adventure and documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Silent World?
- The Silent World stars Jacques-Yves Cousteau.