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Up Periscope

Up Periscope

Representation Score

0.6/10

Minimal

1959

NR

Director

Gordon Douglas

Runtime

112 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Up Periscope is a quintessential product of its era, prioritizing historical military archetypes over diverse representation. The film maintains a conventional hierarchy of gender and race, focusing its thematic energy on the friction between individual ability to act and institutional discipline. The narrative remains firmly rooted in mid-century Western values, exploring the tension between individual competence and rigid naval protocol within a singular, homogeneous social framework.

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Category Breakdown

Does Up Periscope have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film adheres to mid-century cinematic standards, presenting a strictly straight-centered social landscape. There are no depictions of non-cisgender identities or same-sex relationships.

How does Up Periscope portray gender?

Limited

The narrative operates within a rigid patriarchal framework centered on a male-dominated military hierarchy. Women primarily serve as romantic interests or domestic anchors for the male protagonists.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Up Periscope?

Minimal

The cast is predominantly white and Anglo-Saxon, lacking meaningful representation of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Conflict with Japanese forces is framed through a traditional wartime lens.

How does Up Periscope represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film emphasizes patriotism and Western military values. It offers a nuanced view of leadership through Commander Turner’s challenges to rigid naval hierarchy and protocol.

Does Up Periscope include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no representation of physical, sensory, or neurodivergent disabilities. Characters are portrayed exclusively through the lens of peak military readiness.

Present on Screen

  • The film provides a nuanced exploration of leadership and individual ability to act against institutional discipline.

Limited or Absent

  • The film lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities, diverse ethnic backgrounds, or characters with disabilities.
  • Female characters are relegated to secondary roles, serving mostly as romantic motivations for men.
  • The cast is overwhelmingly white and Anglo-Saxon, lacking racial complexity.

Official Synopsis

Lieutenant Braden discovers that Sally, the woman he's been falling in love with, has actually been checking out his qualifications to be a U.S. Navy frogman. He must put his personal life behind him after being assigned to be smuggled into a Japanese-held island via submarine to photograph radio codes.

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