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Ship of Fools

Play trailer Poster for Ship of Fools Released Jul 29, 1965 2h 29m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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63% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 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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Ship of Fools

Critics Reviews

View All (24) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (70) audience reviews
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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Wayne M A stellar cast from the 1960s makes this a film worth watching. Vivien Leigh, Simone Signoret, and Oscar Werner are outstanding. The music score by Ernest Gold and cinematography by Ernest Lazlo are also top drawer. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/04/23 Full Review Professor M A great cinematic achievement. Fabulous in all areas. Actors, director, script, music, scenery. Every scene is interesting and well done. A must see. Oskar Werner and Simone Signoret and their shipboard romance is especially touching. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Thomas O Extremely boring. Nothing but meaningless dialog. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/12/22 Full Review Read all reviews
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Ship of Fools

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Movie Info

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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