Captain Eric Finlander, U.S.N. — The Bedford Incident Character Profile

About Captain Eric Finlander, U.S.N.

Controversial and imperious captain of the USS Bedford. Driven by a relentless Cold War mindset, he obsessively stalks a Soviet submarine. His aggressive tactics, dismissal of crew welfare advice, and ultimate miscommunication during a crisis lead to the accidental launch of an ASROC, triggering a nuclear exchange that destroys his ship and crew.

Captain Eric Finlander, U.S.N. — Character Profile

Character Facts

Played by

Richard Widmark

Appears in

The Bedford Incident (1965)

Role

Protagonist

More characters from The Bedford Incident

• Ben Munceford (Sidney Poitier)
• Ensign Ralston, U.S.N. (James MacArthur)
• Commodore Wolfgang Schrepke, Deutsche Marine (Eric Portman)
• Seaman Merlin Queffle (Wally Cox)
• Lieut Cmdr. Chester Potter, M.D., U.S.N. (Martin Balsam)
• Lieutenant Bascombe U.S.N. - C.I.C. (Gary Cockrell)
• Chief Hospitalman Mckinley - Sick Bay (Phil Brown)
• Lieutenant Beckman U.S.N. - Communications (Brian Davies)
• Commander Allison Executive Officer - Bridge (Michael Kane)
• Seaman 1st Class - Bridge (James Caffrey)
• Seaman 1st Class - Bridge (Ronald Rubin)
• Seaman 2nd Class - Bridge (Paul Tamarin)