This is the story of Carl Brashear, the first African-American Navy Diver. The story starts in the early ‘50’s when the young Carl (Cuba Gooding Jr) joins up with the promise of a glittering Navy career, and the ability to lift himself out of the poverty of his family’s tenant-farm.

It soon becomes apparent that, due to the racial prejudices of the time, he is to spend his career in the ship’s galley. It is on board ship that he first comes across Lesley Sunday, Master Chief Navy Diver ( Robert DeNiro), who inspires him to become a Navy Diver.

The film deals with the (sometimes brutal) prejudicial treatment he receives at the Navy Diving School, and his determination not only to succeed, but to be the best.

The story follows his life in the Navy, the recovery of a lost atom bomb, and his subsequent disablement, and fight to return to active service.

The film is a good mix of action and drama, a cross between An Officer and a Gentleman, and U157, but works better than both. As a true story I suspect there is a fair amount of artistic licence, to add to the drama.

Technically, the film is well shot, with very realistic diving sequences. Purists may baulk over the nice clean gravel riverbed, certain depth anomalies and the fact that all the divers appear to be able to clear their ears without the use of nose clips!

That aside this is a good film, especially for divers with an interest in the history of the sport, and also for non-diving partners.

How historically correct the film is I’m not sure, however Carl Brashear is obviously a very determined individual, who deserves to be better known, at least among diving circles.

Chris’s Diving Film Rating *****

Men of Honour is on general release from March 30.