A dramatic, biographical World War II tale, The Eternal Sea is the story of Admiral John M. Hoskins (Sterling Hayden), a decorated naval officer who wages a personal battle against the powers that be to continue his military service despite an injury that would cost him his leg. Staunch at his side is his wife Sue (Alexis Smith), his equal in love and loyalty. An able supporting cast includes Dean Jagger, Hayden Rorke and Virginia Grey. The Eternal Sea, one of Republic Pictures' most ambitious productions, boasts impressive behind-the-scenes talent including cinematographer John L. Russell (Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, Orson Welles' Macbeth), art director Frank Hotaling (John Ford's The Searchers, The Quiet Man and William Wyler's The Big Country) and Elmer Bernstein (The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear, The Age of Innocence).