# Greyhound

> 2020 film directed by Aaron Schneider

**Wikidata**: [Q50404285](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q50404285)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyhound_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/greyhound

## Summary
Greyhound is a 2020 war film directed by Aaron Schneider, based on the 1955 novel *The Good Shepherd* by C.S. Forester. The movie dramatizes a U.S. Navy destroyer’s perilous transatlantic convoy mission during World War II, starring Tom Hanks, who also wrote the screenplay. Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, it premiered on Apple TV+ after being acquired from Sony Pictures.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: May 8, 2020 (Apple TV+), originally slated for June 12, 2020 (theatrical).
- **Director**: Aaron Schneider (*Get Low*).
- **Screenplay**: Tom Hanks (adapted from C.S. Forester’s novel *The Good Shepherd*).
- **Genre**: War film, drama.
- **Production Companies**: Columbia Pictures, Playtone, Bron Studios, and others.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Runtime**: 91 minutes.
- **Ratings**: 6.5/10 (IMDb), 64/100 (Metacritic), 79% (Rotten Tomatoes).
- **Budget**: $50.3 million (estimated).
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 34 language editions.
- **IMDb ID**: tt6048922.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q65063115.
- **Related Entities**: 
  - **Film** (parent class): A sequence of images creating movement, stored on film stock.
  - **United States**: Country of origin and primary filming location.
  - **Columbia Pictures**: Distributor and production company.
  - **Playtone**: Production company co-founded by Tom Hanks.
  - **War Film**: Genre depicting armed conflict.

## FAQs
**Who directed Greyhound and what is its historical basis?**  
Greyhound was directed by Aaron Schneider and is based on C.S. Forester’s 1955 novel *The Good Shepherd*. The story fictionalizes a U.S. Navy destroyer’s World War II mission to escort Allied ships across the Atlantic, evading German U-boats.

**What production companies and cast were involved?**  
The film was produced by Columbia Pictures, Playtone, Bron Studios, and others. Tom Hanks stars as Commander Ernest Krause and also wrote the screenplay. Stephen Graham, Rob Morgan, and Elisabeth Shue co-star.

**How was Greyhound released and received?**  
Originally intended for a June 2020 theatrical release by Sony Pictures, Greyhound was acquired by Apple TV+ and debuted on May 8, 2020, due to the pandemic. It received mixed reviews, with praise for its tension and Hanks’ performance but criticism for its pacing and character development.

**What themes and technical details define the film?**  
Greyhound focuses on isolation, leadership, and survival during wartime. It runs 91 minutes, cost $50.3 million to produce, and features a score by James Newton Howard. The film is categorized under the war film genre and has been analyzed in film studies for its portrayal of naval warfare.

## Why It Matters
Greyhound contributes to the war film genre by emphasizing claustrophobic tension and historical realism, drawing from C.S. Forester’s literary legacy. Directed by Aaron Schneider and starring Tom Hanks, the film highlights the strategic and emotional challenges of naval warfare. Its release during the COVID-19 pandemic marked a shift in distribution strategies, with Apple TV+ acquiring it for streaming instead of a theatrical rollout. The movie also underscores the collaborative efforts of major production companies like Columbia Pictures and Playtone, illustrating the interplay between Hollywood studios and streaming platforms in modern filmmaking.

## Notable For
- **Pandemic-Era Release**: Shifted from theatrical to streaming debut due to COVID-19, reflecting industry changes.
- **Literary Adaptation**: Faithful screen adaptation of C.S. Forester’s *The Good Shepherd*.
- **Tom Hanks’ Involvement**: Starred in and wrote the screenplay, adding to his portfolio of historical dramas.
- **Technical Craftsmanship**: Praised for sound design and cinematography capturing the intensity of naval battles.
- **Historical Context**: Portrays the Battle of the Atlantic, a critical but underrepresented WWII campaign.

## Body

### Production Background
Greyhound was produced by Columbia Pictures, Playtone, Bron Studios, and others, with a budget of $50.3 million. Filming occurred in the United States, primarily in studios and naval locations. Tom Hanks not only starred as Commander Ernest Krause but also adapted the screenplay from C.S. Forester’s novel, marking his first solo screenwriting credit. The film’s score, composed by James Newton Howard, complements its tense, claustrophobic atmosphere.

### Release and Distribution
Initially slated for a June 12, 2020, theatrical release by Sony Pictures, Greyhound was acquired by Apple TV+ in March 2020 due to the pandemic. It premiered on May 8, 2020, as an Apple Original Film, bypassing theaters entirely. This shift highlighted the growing influence of streaming platforms in film distribution during the pandemic era.

### Genre and Themes
As a war film, Greyhound focuses on the psychological and strategic pressures of naval warfare. It explores themes of leadership, isolation, and survival, emphasizing the moral weight of command. The film’s narrow focus on a single convoy mission reflects Forester’s source material, which prioritizes realism over character-driven drama.

### Reception
Critical reception was mixed. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 79% approval rating, with praise for its technical achievements and Hanks’ performance. However, Metacritic’s 64/100 score indicated “mixed or average reviews,” with some critics noting underdeveloped supporting characters and a rushed narrative. Audiences on IMDb gave it 6.5/10, reflecting divided opinions on its pacing and depth.

### Related Entities
- **Film (Class)**: As a subclass of “audiovisual work,” Greyhound exemplifies the film medium’s capacity for historical storytelling and technical innovation.
- **United States**: The film’s production and setting reinforce the U.S. Navy’s role in WWII, a pivotal moment in American military history.
- **Columbia Pictures**: A major Hollywood studio, Columbia’s involvement underscores its enduring influence in film production and distribution.
- **War Film Genre**: Greyhound aligns with war films like *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), emphasizing visceral realism and the human cost of conflict.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 91 minutes.
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.39:1 (widescreen).
- **Sound Mix**: Dolby Digital.
- **Color**: Color film with desaturated tones to enhance historical authenticity.
- **Filming Locations**: Primarily studio-based, with naval sequences shot in controlled environments.

### Cultural and Academic Significance
Greyhound has been cited in film studies for its portrayal of naval tactics and its contribution to the war genre. Its release strategy has also been analyzed in media studies, particularly regarding streaming platforms’ impact on film distribution. The movie’s focus on a lesser-documented WWII campaign—the Battle of the Atlantic—adds to its historical value, preserving narratives often overshadowed by land-based battles.

## References

1. The Movie Database
2. Greyhound. Rotten Tomatoes
3. [Source](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6048922/releaseinfo)
4. BBC Things
5. Google Knowledge Graph
6. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=1513262)
7. Bechdel Test Movie List
8. FilmVandaag.nl