DEATH SHIP (1980)

 

Directed By: Alvin Rakoff  Written By: John Robins 

Story By: Jack Hill and David P. Lewis 

Cinematography: Rene Verzier 

Editor: Mike Campbell

Cast: George Kennedy, Richard Ctrenna, Nick Mancuso, Saul Rubinek, Victoria Burgoyne, Jennifer McKinney, Danny Higham, Sally Ann Howles, Kate Reid, 

Survivors of a tragic shipping collision are rescued by a mysterious black ship that appears out of the fog. Little do they realize that the ship is a Nazi torture ship that has sailed the seas for years, luring unsuspecting sailors aboard and killing them off one by one.

Considering the cast this should have been much better.

This film would be much more entertaining and fun. If it was strongly directed. As here while being a horror. The direction comes across as broad. It plays like a haunted house film only on a ship. As it is almost like an obstacle course for survival.

It makes you wonder though there are plenty of them. Are ghosts trapped and lonely? As they seem to want to kill so many. Is it a property thing? Do they want company? Are they jealous? Since usually at least in movies they are seen as evil (talks about stereotypes) are they in hell and want a companion? 

Jealous and wanting to take others who they feel are not worth it or appreciate what they have done are just reaching out in the ways they know how or can and people are just afraid and overreact. Are they stuck? Are they stuck on earth because of unfinished business?

The filmmakers used a lot of zooms and transitions. Not to mention senseless death scenes. 

The material is there for a better film. It would be a good candidate to remake better.

The thinking in the story seems to be when in doubt, put in some Nazis or blame them for the horrors. Which feels like a Scooby Doo-type ending or reaching for a villain and explanation.

The ship should be scary on its own or atmospheric. Instead, it looks strangely dressed. It’s also rarely actually dangerous or that intriguing

While the film Is presented as an all-star extravaganza. In modern times it comes off as a Tv-Movie event movie. They would get stars of movies who were willing to do television for a quick Buck or find a way to get stars of all network shows to appear in the same film usually airing in the summer. While most shows were on hiatus.

Grade: C