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The Ship That Died of Shame

Play trailer Poster for The Ship That Died of Shame 1955 1h 31m Action Adventure Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
After World War II, veteran George Hoskins (Richard Attenborough) persuades his skipper, Bill Randall (George Baker), to use their old naval ship for a small-time smuggling operation. But the nefariousness of their activities soon increases, and the men begin shipping dangerous weapons. Around that time, the ship begins to revolt against the veterans that it led through the war, breaking down at inopportune moments, almost as if to express its disapproval.

Critics Reviews

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Virginia Graham The Spectator If the direction, by Messrs. Relph and Dearden, is not exactly inspired, it leads us smoothly from glory to disgrace, missing the shoals of the supernatural with considerable adroitness. Mar 14, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dave E great old british movie with a very dark turn . worth a watch Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/29/24 Full Review kevin w An interesting curio, sort of a British Twilight Zone, about how a once dutiful small craft British warship (like an American PT boat) is used to smuggle (gasp! oh no!) in the financial doldrums after WW2. Can the creeping sense of vengeful karma be far behind her? It's all done very workmanlike, with only hints of naval superstitions lurking in shadows beneath the decks. Veddy British feel all about the work as well. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member A very watchable movie about a wartime torpedo boat having given exemplary service during the war being rescued from the scrapyard by its former commanding officer and executive officer. Beginning by running bootleg alcohol and nylons, the pair begin to use the boat for more seemingly lucrative but noticeably darker jobs and the boat begins to give them trouble. After the boat is used to transport a child murder away from justice, the boat seemingly gives up and eventually smashes itself onto rocks, destroying itself. Another good Moserrat story made into an equally good movie. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member A good yarn about Royal Navy veterans shortly after the war using the surplus RN torpedo boat they once served on, for the purposes of smuggling between the UK & the continent. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Ship That Died of Shame

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis After World War II, veteran George Hoskins (Richard Attenborough) persuades his skipper, Bill Randall (George Baker), to use their old naval ship for a small-time smuggling operation. But the nefariousness of their activities soon increases, and the men begin shipping dangerous weapons. Around that time, the ship begins to revolt against the veterans that it led through the war, breaking down at inopportune moments, almost as if to express its disapproval.
Director
Basil Dearden
Producer
Basil Dearden, Michael Relph, Michael Balcon
Screenwriter
Basil Dearden, Nicholas Monsarrat
Production Co
Ealing Studios, Michael Balcon Productions
Genre
Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama
Original Language
British English
Runtime
1h 31m