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Tarfumes.com - Abandon Ship
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List Price: $19.98
Our Price: $95.50
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Starring: Tyrone Power, Mai Zetterling, Lloyd Nolan, Stephen Boyd, Moira Lister
Directed By: Richard Sale
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786304330173
Format: Black & White
ISBN: 6304330170
Label: Sony Pictures
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Sony Pictures
Release Date: 1997-02-11
Running Time: 100
Studio: Sony Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: 1957-04-17
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Which will the Captain choose? You or me?
Comment: From the opening scenes, director Richard Sale makes you aware that this is not going to be a "pretty" film. With the small shot of a simple sea mine floating in the water transforming into a classic 1950s explosion with horrific screams of passengers, Sale again reminds you that this is not going to be a typical Hollywood disaster film. As a reviewer, I must remind those reading that this is not a pretty picture - do not expect your typical film where the heroine always makes good decisions and those that are made do not impact the lives of others. "Seven Waves Away" was a flawless film. It is one of those rare, extremely rare gems that has gone out of print, probably forgotten by most, but when found will provide the most gut-wrenching 97 minutes of cinematic viewing. The plot is simple - a luxury liner is destroyed by a random mine, those surviving are cramped into a lifeboat only equipped to handle 12, 14 at the most, but the dilemma, there are 27 surviving passengers. Weight, rations, sanity, and control are all factors that our leader, Tyrone Powers, must struggle with to save as many lives as possible. With no land for the next 1200 miles, Powers must remain in control, even with death knocking at every door.
"Seven Waves Away" now ranks among one of my favorite films of all times. Why? Director Richard Sale does a phenomenal job directing a strong cast in such a small space. He creates a sense of claustrophobia that is unprecedented in the film industry. This film is the chapter missing from the over-budgeted disaster film "Titanic", which happily everyone shows up safe near the end. This is the human element of disaster, the choices that are made, and the difficulty of survival. This couldn't have happened without those playing their respective roles. Tyrone Powers was more than impressive as the designated master-in-command of this little boat full of scared people. When we first met him, as he assisted in others floating away from the wreckage, we can see that he is going to be a force in this film, and it isn't until he is pushed that we see the full potential of his character. He pushed himself away from any swashbuckling stereotypes that he was better known for, allowed water to be pushed into his face, and gave us a rugged performance that hasn't been seen for a very long time. It was due to Powers' portrayal that the others fell into their own characters as well. Others have argued that each character seemed cliché and at times racist, but to me, they all worked and fell into their roles respectively. The only one I had trouble believing was Mai Zetterling's portrayal of Powers' love interest and nurse. She was cardboard with lines, but worked with the others around her. She was tolerable because the actual story was powerfully near to perfection.
With the characters in place, a strong lead that obviously could control the darkening waters, all we needed to ensure was that there was a strong enough story to accompany these deserved moments. Thankfully, there was. "Seven Waves Away" was one of the tightest scripts that I have witnessed in a very long time. The camera shots were tight, the special effects were 50s style, but perfection in every direction, and the bleak tones were what kept me on the edge of my seat each minute of this film. There is something about a film, especially one made in the 50s that shows unfortunate people just floating out to their death. There is also something about the power of a film that isn't afraid to be honest to itself. "Seven Waves Away" was honest; the horrid nature of Powers saying "women and children don't mean anything anymore" had my heart racing. He was powerful, yet torn all at the same time. He carried a burden none of us would probably be willing to do, and oddly, he was hurt for it. The ending of this film is really what pulled it together for me. The excitement of the crew turned to a wicked shade of turnip at the first signs of possible safety. The honesty of this film is what struck the chord with me. It was powerful and real all at the same time. There wasn't time for cheap CGI or pathetic special effects, this was a human driven film, and it worked because they were all characters we either believed in or have once known. Which would you have been if you were in this boat - one of the strong or one of the weak? This is a conversation that I could have with anyone after viewing this film, and it is conversation that launches this film into my immediate favorites.
Overall, I don't think my words gave this film credit at all. It was, again, one of those rare films that should never go out of print, but remain a staple in our cinematic community. Tyrone Powers is superb, and Richard Sale gives us a story nearly worthy enough of Hitchcock. I still get goose bumps as I think about Powers making the final decision on those that are considered "dead weight". This film carried a heavy theme and wasn't afraid to show it to the world. It is a real film about honest events and the truth behind humanity, it speaks further truth now, and would make for a great re-interpretation if not Hollywood-ized too much. I cannot suggest this film enough. If ever you find yourself with a bit more money in the wallet, this film is the perfect investment for your collection. A beauty from beginning to end.
Grade: ***** out of *****
Customer Rating:
Summary: Tense and thought provoking
Comment: When a luxury liner sinks a handful of survivors ,including the captain,make it to a lifeboat .It quickly becomes obvious that some of the survivors must be jettisoned in order for the maximum number to stand any chance of survival .This forms the bulk of this tense and gripping,if somewhat claustrophobic,movie that is graced by a number of admirable performances not least from Tyrone Power as the ship's captain whom many blame for the disaster.Special mention to the admirable Mai Zetterling ,Stephen Boyd and Lloyd Nolan among the remaining actors.
This would make a good movie for discussion in a school situation raising as it does questions of ethics,morality ,pragmatism and the responsibility of power but it is no drrty academic tome .It stands comparison with another movie largely set in a single small boat ,Alfred Hitchcock's "Lifeboat" and while ,for my money it loses by the comparison it is a close run thing .
Its outdated racial and sexual attitudes may rankle in some quarters but do not unduly detract from a neat and gripping movie.I did not like its open ending and thus have docked it a point .Others will not be so bothered by this
Customer Rating:
Summary: GREAT PERFORMANCE BY TYRONE POWER
Comment: A powerfull classic movie with great performance by the legendary Tyrone Power. Power was known for his powerfull performance and bringing life to his roll....such as in "Jessie James" and many other great movies. This is a nail biting thriller. Much better made and produced then it's counter part...Alfred Hitchcocks' "Life Boat" with a similar plot, but a drab show....not nearly the quality as this gem.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Abandon Senses!
Comment: I'm sorry, but the great serious issues at the heart of this film are simply swamped by odd and often hilarious acting, reactions, edits and transitions. Like the boat, the participants are wooden and sterotyped. The black man is "put in his place" by Tyrone Powers, who shouts him into subserviance; later, he sings a spiritual - no kidding. There's the Italian hood with a switchblade, the officious army commander, the loose woman, the professor, and Mary Ann! No kidding, they are all there, 26 of 'em. Even Tyrone gets the treatment as our conflicted hero. The loose woman gives us the defining aside on Tyrone: "THERE'S a MAN!"
I rated this not zero, or one star - but I gave it two, simply because this is an absolute stitch to watch. It means well, it is so earnest. For that alone it surely deserves notice as a serious hoot.
Now, back to bailing...
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Significant Minor Film
Comment: Tyrone Power appeared in a number of famous and glamorous films, but this simple story remains the one I remember best. It raises some basic ethical questions. If some of those who survive a disaster are sure to die because of their injuries, should they be kept alive even if doing that threatens the survival of the others in the group? If resources are scarce and some of the healthy survivors--possibly most or even all--will eventually die, should some eventually be selected for earlier death so that the others might survive longer? If so, which ones should be kept alive and why? How should these decisions be made? What price should those who make these decisions and those who simply acquiesce pay if they themselves survive? A number of books and other films, some very well done, have addressed such issues too, but this low budget, low-key drama served me better than any of those would have on several occasions when I was dealing with moral and ethical questions in government classes I taught to high school students.
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