Black Tide (1958)
"Stormy Crossing" (original title)

Two swimmers are attempting to swim across the English Channel when one of them disappears. The other swimmer is convinced that it was no accident, and insists on investigating himself, ... See full summary »

Director:

C.M. Pennington-Richards

Writers:

Lou Dyer (story), Sid Harris (story),

Stars:

John Ireland, Derek Bond, Leslie Dwyer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Ireland	...	Griff Parker
Derek Bond	...	Paul Seymour
Leslie Dwyer	...	Bill Harris, Kitty's Trainer
Maureen Connell	...	Shelley Baxter
Sheldon Lawrence	...	Danny Parker, Griff's Brother
Joy Webster	...	Kitty Tyndall
John Horsley	...	Detective Inspector Parry
Cameron Hall	...	Grantly Memorial Doctor
Arthur Lowe	...	Garage Owner
John Schlesinger	...	Tim, garage mechanic
Anita Sharp-Bolster	...	First Nurse
Patricia Ellis	...	Pretty Young Nurse
Jack Taylor	...	Race Navigator
Reginald Hearne	...	Police Sergeant Masters
Graham Stewart	...	Bob McEwan, Clarion Reporter

Storyline

Two swimmers are attempting to swim across the English Channel when one of them disappears. The other swimmer is convinced that it was no accident, and insists on investigating himself, even though the police do not believe him.

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Plot Keywords:

swimmer | female in swimsuit | mysterious death

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Genres:

Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 1958 (UK)

Also Known As:

Black Tide

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tempean Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Decent Suspense With An Interesting Setting

"Black Tide", also called "Stormy Crossing", is a decent mystery/suspense story with an interesting setting. While the story itself is fairly routine, the setting and some likeable characters make it worth watching.

The story takes place in Dover (England). As it begins, two swimmers are in training for an attempt to swim across the English Channel - Danny, an experienced swimmer trained by his brother Griff, and Kitty, a model and amateur swimmer, backed by a separate group. They decide to make their attempt together, but things go very wrong. Danny is convinced that what happened was no accident, and he tries to investigate despite the fact that no one else believes him.

The events that follow are not too surprising, and sometimes predictable, but the story keeps the viewer's interest once it gets going. It's a mostly plausible story, and it is helped by some other positive features.

The channel/seacoast setting is an interesting one that works well for this kind of story, and it is nicely done. You do feel as if you are there at the Channel, with the mist, the birds, and the current. There are also a couple pretty likeable characters: John Ireland is good as Griff, and Maureen Connell is good as the young hotel manager. Danny, though, is not a very good character - pretty much a stereotyped indignant, headstrong young man. Overall, the positives outweigh the weaknesses.

Most fans of mystery or suspense films should find this worth a look.