Crest of the Wave

I first saw this film as an 8 year old and went along with my family in eager anticipation of seeing a Gene Kelly musical which my mother thought it would be. Needless to say I came away feeling disappointed at having viewed a dry black and white offering with no songs or dances and no women at all. More than sixty years later remembering the above , I purchased the DVD determined to fairly re-assess the film and now admit to enjoying it on it's own merits.

It's a nice intimate little piece with a good sense of atmosphere that highlights the challenges of men of diverse characters and backgrounds thrown together in an isolated location devoid of women. Many familiar faces from British films of the 1950's all of whom contribute to the very human elements of the plot. Sid James is here given much more screen time than in previous efforts and he actually seems to appear just as frequently as Gene Kelly which may come as a surprise to some. Kelly is fine in a role that hardly stretches his acting ability any more than his British counterpart ; John Justin. Bernard Lee is as strong and reliable as ever and I must single out David Orr whose attractive and ultimately haunting contribution impressed me over and above them all.

I recommend this near forgotten but surprisingly pleasing gem to those like me who relish watching intimate films on their own.