Only rarely does a new film come along to remind movie lovers of Hollywood’s golden age some 80 years ago. GREYHOUND, starring Tom Hanks, is that sort of old-fashioned thriller, notably enriched by state-of-the art special effects and riveting action sequences showing World War II’s Battle of the Atlantic.

Hanks, who also wrote the screenplay, portrays a destroyer captain given his first command, leading a crucial Anglo-American convoy across the ocean but facing destruction by “wolf packs” of German submarines. Based on a 1955 novel by C.S. Forester—who also wrote the beloved Horatio Hornblower series—the film gives loving attention to the hero’s profound Christian faith.

Hanks shows the over-burdened commander at prayer on multiple occasions, while portraying the emotional bonds between men of every background facing danger together. As with SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, where Hanks also starred, or the great John Adams miniseries which he produced, GREYHOUND enriches our culture with an inspiring story of American heroism.