Seven Waves Away (1957)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Richard Sale

Writer:

Richard Sale (writer)

Release Date:

17 April 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Plot:

Ship's officer finds himself in command of a lifeboat full of survivors of a sunken luxury liner.

Plot Keywords:

Captain | General | Dog | Lifeboat | Gambler

Cast

Tyrone Power	...	Alec Holmes (Crescent Star Executive Officer)
Mai Zetterling	...	Nurse Julie White
Lloyd Nolan	...	Frank Kelly
Stephen Boyd	...	Will McKinley (officer on Crescent Star)
Moira Lister	...	Edith Middleton
James Hayter	...	'Cookie' Morrow
Marie Lohr	...	Dorothy Knudson
Finlay Currie	...	Mr. Wheaton
John Stratton	...	Jimmy 'Sparks' Clary
Victor Maddern	...	Willy Hawkins
Eddie Byrne	...	Michael Faroni
Noel Willman	...	Aubrey Clark
Moultrie Kelsall	...	Daniel Cane
Robert Harris	...	Arthur J. Middleton
Gordon Jackson	...	John Merritt

Also Known As:

Abandon Ship! (USA)
Seven Days from Now (USA)

Runtime:

USA:100 min | 97 min (Encore-Action Library Print)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

Copa Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: When McKinley is making his way toward Alec, there is a shot of Edith Middleton looking back at him. In the next shot, she is looking out to sea.

Quotes:

Alec: We can't take any weather, she'll sink right under us.
Kelly: Well, that leaves just one thing... You've gotta evict some of the tenants.

Movie Connections:

Remade as The Last Survivors (1975) (TV)

A movie that makes you search your soul...

This was my first viewing of the film and in my humble opinion Ty Power was terrific as a dramatic actor. It really opened my eyes to his capabilities. He had what it takes to project the reality across to us, the viewers. Although I wouldn't want to be in his situation, of deciding on the fate of survivors in a lifeboat, still I felt his decisions were the best that could be done in such an extreme and dire situation. I'm sure no one would want to be in his shoes at that time.

Each actor contributed in their minor roles, - nice to see Stephen Boyd in an earlier role - Lloyd Nolan seen rather briefly, and Mai Zetterling as the nurse who was supportive throughout.

Who can say what each and everyone would be willing to decide on if confronted with the inevitable decision of life and death, or basic survival as in this case. It's certainly something to think about in quiet moments.

I found this film riveting throughout as the dialogue progressed and decisions were made, rightly or wrongly, on people's lives.

It's a remarkably realistic revelation of human nature at its best and worse. A "must see" for those interested in drama, and particularly in Ty Power's development as a serious performer. Well recommended.