I think that this is a great idea: a man stuck on a ship where the captain is trying to kill you. I think this is a very suspenseful film and one of the best Val Lewton films. I dont know how on a low budget, Val Lewton can create suspense and action. I think this is a very unapreciated film and should get more recognition.
The scene in the chain locker is truely terrifing and it's not graphic or bloody. I think his films are scary because they deal with fears that many people have and with superstitions.
"Sometimes I breathe you in."
I agree. I just watched it and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Top notch acting, story, atmosphere, etc. kept me interested all the way through.
Definitely under-appreciated, had not heard of it before - so glad I caught it on TCM.
You've done some bad things, sweetie.
I love it a lot. I can't recommend it highly enough. It really moves me on more than one level.
For one thing, I love the *real* hero/protagonist, who actually saves the day --
GIANT SPOILER WARNING!! SERIOUSLY, READ NO FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED!!
MORE SPOILER SPACE !!
*Finn* the Mute.
Ozy
And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.
Skelton Knaggs was a great character actor who didn't leave us with enough of his work on film. His performance in "Dracula's Castle" is well worth the price of admission.
shareYeah I guess the actual ´idea´ underneath this thing may indeed have been a potent one. The story, however, as it plays out in this film, is totally moronic, more corny than human perception can process and is also ably helped by some of the most risible dialogue and awful acting known to man. In fact, this thing is so awful it almost defies belief... especially as it, in his tragically misguided ways, also tries triumph as an "issue picture" and be "about something" with all that nonsense pertaining to the role of authority. An embarrassment for Mark Robson who, mysteriously, had been able to come up with a first rate B-horror The Seventh Victim the very same year. This one... can´t think of a single good thing about it.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
I'm surprised you're so negative. I thought the film had great atmosphere. It was really eerie. I would rank it among Val Lewton's best.
Antiparanoia is the eerie feeling that nothing is connected to anything else
I thought the film had great atmosphere. It was really eerie.I agree that the film has atmosphere and I liked Richard Dix's largely understated performance as the mad captain, but the story is quite ludicrous.
Which horror story makes sense though? People always go looking in the wrong places in them, for example.
Seems to go with the territory in this genre.
I completely agree. I've seen this film a few times over the years hoping to like it, but I never enjoy the story or the characters. It'll be a long time before I sit through this one again.
This movie has a few interesting moments, but I think it's the worst Lewton film by a considerable margin. As a WWII-era film, it plays like a heavy-handed political allegory warning against corrupt dictators. Pretty basic and straightforward for Lewton.
The film takes forever to get going, and the characters are poorly drawn from the start. The third mate is so dull; the same actor does a somewhat better job in The Body Snatcher, but he's incredibly bland here. The captain isn't mysterious; he's a caricature.
By the time we get to "the captain is trying to kill me," it feels like we've skipped several steps. In fact, the whole thing feels like a Heart of Darkness riff that fails to say anything interesting.
Lewton's films never lack for atmosphere, and that's true here, too. But given how good his films typically are, this one is a colossal disappointment.
5/10 on atmosphere alone.
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A wonderful movie, great cast, terrific performances and that eerie atmosphere... So perfect for this season.
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
It's late and I am watching it right now.
It's actually pretty scary.
It's a classic: Someone is trying to kill ne but no one will help!
Indeed! The atmosphere is awesome and yes, terrifying, especially if you watch all alone late at night. The plot, cast and performances are great, too.
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
Great spooky atmosphere and plenty of nerve-wracking tension due to the claustrophobic setting.
I am the Duke of IMDb bio writers! I am A#1!
I liked this too. Always wanted to see it since it was kept out of the public eye for so long due to legal issues, and was barely ever released.
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