PORT OF ESCAPE is a hostage drama that never really feels very suspenseful despite best efforts; it's far too sedate and genteel for that. It's a pity that the film isn't more gripping because the trappings of the genre are present and correct, it's just the execution which is a bit, well average. The storyline is about a couple of sailors on shore leave who get into a fight which leaves a man dead. Instead of giving themselves up they decide to hide out on a moored boat which just so happens to be occupied by three women, one of whom witnessed the crime. The rest of the film sees them trying to avoid the police investigations, headed over by genre regular Alexander Gauge.
The film has a mixed cast although most of the characters are underwritten so few have a chance to shine. John McCallum, an Australian star who later went on to produce the famous SKIPPY TV series, is the best of the bunch as the warm and conflicted killer, while Bill Keer is underutilised but quite effective as the psychotic one of the pair. Googie Withers is saddled with an annoying character who I never warmed to, although it's fun to see Joan Hickson in a much larger role than usual. My favourite character was Skinner, played by the delightful Hugh Pryse as a man who uses opportunity to make cash from the situation. If only the film was as fun as his character.
The film has a mixed cast although most of the characters are underwritten so few have a chance to shine. John McCallum, an Australian star who later went on to produce the famous SKIPPY TV series, is the best of the bunch as the warm and conflicted killer, while Bill Keer is underutilised but quite effective as the psychotic one of the pair. Googie Withers is saddled with an annoying character who I never warmed to, although it's fun to see Joan Hickson in a much larger role than usual. My favourite character was Skinner, played by the delightful Hugh Pryse as a man who uses opportunity to make cash from the situation. If only the film was as fun as his character.