Ship of Fools

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Ship of Fools

Released Jul 29, 1965

2h 29m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

63%

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24 Reviews

76%

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1,000+ Ratings

When an eclectic group of passengers boards a cruise ship bound for prewar Germany, they form a microcosm of 1930s society. One passenger, a mysterious countess (Simone Signoret), is headed for a German prison camp. The charming Dr. Schumann (Oskar Werner) harbors a debilitating heart condition. Then there's American divorcée Mary Treadwell (Vivien Leigh), who vainly attempts to outrun time itself. During their weeks at sea, the group forges bonds and rivalries, and unearths secrets.

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William J. Nazzaro

Arizona Republic

For the most part, despite several extremely fine performances from a large and mostly able cast, it is mainly superficial, pretentious, and obvious.

Mar 30, 2022

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Variety Staff

Variety

Director-producer Stanley Kramer and scenarist Abby Mann have distilled the essence of Katherine Anne Porter's bulky novel in a film that appeals to the intellect and the emotions.

Nov 7, 2007

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Tom Milne

Time Out

Don't look now, but as you might expect with message-mad Kramer at the helm of this adaptation of Katherine Anne Porter's novel, there's a heavy allegory aboard.

Jun 24, 2006

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

Ship of Fools is distinguished by its unusual presentation, incredible cast, and the acting of Simone Signoret and Oskar Werner.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 9, 2024

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Elizabeth Hardwick

Vogue

Each scene in Ship of Fools is interesting enough. What one misses most is a sense of history, that devastation of the thirties and forties toward which the ship of fools and its cargo are steaming.

Jun 20, 2023

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Cameron Meier

MeierMovies.com

In the end, I agreed less with the film’s detractors and more with The New York Times’ Bosley Crowther, who called it a “powerful, ironic film [with a] wealth of reflection upon the human condition.”

Rated: 2.75/5

Sep 5, 2022

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Xian C.

Fantastic period piece calling out the prejudice and frailty of this ship of fools. It’s resonates today. Some criticize its length but it’s about a month at sea. Such a voyage could become interminable and the film portrays that. Watch this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

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Luis M. D

This over ambitious – even pretentious – movie has three main problems. First, it is way too long with nearly 150 minutes time. Second, it is dispersed and unfocused – with too many storylines that are constantly cut and take us some time to familiarize with. And third, some of the stories are ridiculous and intranscendental, which makes the movie boring. If you have the patience you will hear some critical social commentary and enjoy some humor, but I found the whole project unconvincing.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/08/24

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nick s

Moves very slowly. Great acting but rather inconsequential. I think if you're in the right mood you'll enjoy the social parlay.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

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CodyZamboni

Well intentioned but plodding tale of various passengers and crew members, sailing from Mexico to Germany in 1933. Movie details their regrets, prejudices, naivette of the changing German government, failed relationships, none of which are very compelling.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/29/23

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Thomas O

Extremely boring. Nothing but meaningless dialog.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/12/22

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georgan g

A ship of stars shows the folly of people, whether in their personal lives, relationships, &/or xenophobia. Well acted & written.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Stanley Kramer

Director

Vivien Leigh

Mary Treadwell

Simone Signoret

La Condesa

Oskar Werner

Dr. Schumann

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Synopsis

When an eclectic group of passengers boards a cruise ship bound for prewar Germany, they form a microcosm of 1930s society. One passenger, a mysterious countess (Simone Signoret), is headed for a German prison camp. The charming Dr. Schumann (Oskar Werner) harbors a debilitating heart condition. Then there's American divorcée Mary Treadwell (Vivien Leigh), who vainly attempts to outrun time itself. During their weeks at sea, the group forges bonds and rivalries, and unearths secrets.

Director: Stanley Kramer
Producer: Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter: Abby Mann
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Stanley Kramer Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 29, 1965, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 25, 2010
Runtime: 2h 29m

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