Morituri

Released Aug 25, 1965

2 hr. 3 min.

Drama

War

Action

List

75%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

71%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

During World War II, German Robert Crain (Marlon Brando) goes AWOL and heads to India to live peacefully. He is discovered, however, by the British Secret Service, who force him to go on an undercover mission on their behalf. He is sent to pose as a Nazi officer on a German ship, but Capt. Mueller (Yul Brynner) is immediately suspicious of his new recruit. As Crain realizes he could be found out at any moment, he incites a riot in an effort to gain control of the boat.

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j F

The acting was superb, but the story was convoluted. For instance, the girl's role could have been left out altogether with only slight adjustments to the plot.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/12/23

Full Review

Josh G

I simple story executed very well with themes of anti war and peace intertwined as two titans of acting go head to head to in dialogue and morality. The final words will haunt you well done film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a dark story that feels as damed as its characters.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

a.l.jude p

A powerful start, a flawed end though !

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

s r

I saw it for the cast, but it could have been much better. The plot dragged and lost credibility with gaps.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The first act struggles to gain any interest, or to be clear on what the exact mission is - it's slow and wordy, and I'm not sure I quite get everyone's angle. But after about half an hour, it picks up. Brando's Robert Crain (or Mr. Kyle) is up to something aboard the ship, and Brenner's Captain Muller appears to be soft, leading to some question of his authority by First Officer Kruse, a dedicated Nazi.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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Bernhard Wicki

Director

Marlon Brando

Robert Crain

Yul Brynner

Captain Mueller

Janet Margolin

Esther

Trevor Howard

Colonel Statter

Martin Benrath

Kruse

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Variety Staff

Variety

Both Brando and Brynner contribute hard-hitting performances.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Alas, the melodrama is as turgid as that title they have given the film, and anxiety over the fate of Mr. Brando is dissipated in a vastly cluttered plot.

May 9, 2005

Full Review

Joan Didion

Vogue

It is competent, skilled, professional, and slick, and because it is all these things, it is marvelously entertaining.

Mar 13, 2020

Full Review

Sergio Benítez

Espinof

A little gem to discover. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 24, 2019

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Brando gives a powerful performance as a German deserter in this fact-based WWII drama, which was underestimated at the time.

Rated: B

Jul 5, 2012

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A tense sea adventure.

Rated: B

Jul 29, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

During World War II, German Robert Crain (Marlon Brando) goes AWOL and heads to India to live peacefully. He is discovered, however, by the British Secret Service, who force him to go on an undercover mission on their behalf. He is sent to pose as a Nazi officer on a German ship, but Capt. Mueller (Yul Brynner) is immediately suspicious of his new recruit. As Crain realizes he could be found out at any moment, he incites a riot in an effort to gain control of the boat.

Director: Bernhard Wicki
Screenwriter: Daniel Taradash
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Arcola Pictures, Colony Pictures
Genre: Drama, War, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 25, 1965, Original
Release Date (DVD): May 25, 2004