The Rank Organisation appeared to be wooing and competing with American filmmakers with entries such as this. Excellent Set and Art direction (Cedric Dawe and Arthur Taksen) take center stage for developing convincing and dramatically detailed sets, while terrific director of photography Christopher Challis (S.O.S. Titanic '79) captures all the moody, noirish action for director Charles Crichton (The Divided Heart '54). Crichton also adapted the screenplay and saw fit to add a touch of sensationalism to some of the more brutal elements of the story to please the action crowd. A love interest section in the midst of the action tends to slow things down, and given the situation, is perhaps not always as convicting as it might have been.
Howard Keel was always able to supply a convincing dramatic performance and the English made good use of this. British beauty, Anne Heywood is also capable in her rather tough role, and together they work hard under considerably demanding conditions. The water scenes are well staged, adding high levels of tension while the rest of the cast supply good back up - it's an oddity that should keep the action fans occupied for the most part. Not sure why the DVD has been transferred in 4 x 3 when the feature was shot in 1.85.1 Widescreen - that would normally transfer as 16 x 9 full screen, but the image and sound quality are quite good otherwise.
Howard Keel was always able to supply a convincing dramatic performance and the English made good use of this. British beauty, Anne Heywood is also capable in her rather tough role, and together they work hard under considerably demanding conditions. The water scenes are well staged, adding high levels of tension while the rest of the cast supply good back up - it's an oddity that should keep the action fans occupied for the most part. Not sure why the DVD has been transferred in 4 x 3 when the feature was shot in 1.85.1 Widescreen - that would normally transfer as 16 x 9 full screen, but the image and sound quality are quite good otherwise.