This colorful B Movie, produced by Samuel Goldwyn Jr., is disturbing in several ways but completely engrossing because of its subject matter. It's 19 years before "Jaws", and the island paradise of Cuba is dealing with dangerous man eating sharks which prey on the fisherman. The American military stationed there during World War II decides to test various types of shark repellent to protect American soldiers in case they are trapped in shark infested waters. But a hungry shark is difficult to fool, and it takes some clever human beings much practice to try to fool them, at the price of human lives at risk.
Distracted by a pointless romantic storyline involving Karen Sharpe and Lt. Commander Victor Mature, this film is at its best when out at sea. But that means danger, and a shocking scene involving the enthusiastic native Rafael Campos ends in tragedy. The scene is disturbing because Campos is presented as a fool and when in danger, the first thing that the Americans do is try to film what is going on rather than get rid of the sharks. Later on, Mature is surrounded by sharks as well as the repellent, and the tension is very high.
It's no surprise as to what happens earlier, but Campos, so desperate to make a positive impression on the American officers, instantly creates fear with his suddenly bizarre behavior and what happens as a result. The audience will be in great suspense when Mature literally finds a school of sharks swimming around him. This isn't a great movie by any means, highly predictable, but the color photography and Intrigue will keep the audiences interested.
Distracted by a pointless romantic storyline involving Karen Sharpe and Lt. Commander Victor Mature, this film is at its best when out at sea. But that means danger, and a shocking scene involving the enthusiastic native Rafael Campos ends in tragedy. The scene is disturbing because Campos is presented as a fool and when in danger, the first thing that the Americans do is try to film what is going on rather than get rid of the sharks. Later on, Mature is surrounded by sharks as well as the repellent, and the tension is very high.
It's no surprise as to what happens earlier, but Campos, so desperate to make a positive impression on the American officers, instantly creates fear with his suddenly bizarre behavior and what happens as a result. The audience will be in great suspense when Mature literally finds a school of sharks swimming around him. This isn't a great movie by any means, highly predictable, but the color photography and Intrigue will keep the audiences interested.