True as a Turtle (1957) User Reviews

A Different Viewpoint

[boblipton · 7/10 · 7 January 2020]

John Greyson wants to spend the honeymoon on Cecil Parker's boat, 'The Turtle'. His fiancee, landlubber June Thorburn reluctantly agrees. The usual sorts of misadventures occur.

This is not in anyway an indictment of this movie. It is, in fact, a superior example of the landlubber-at-sea comedy-drama. I attribute this to the direction of Wendy Toye, one of the few woman directors working at the time. Although everyone has plenty to do, this movie offers us the viewpoints of the women confronting their men's seafaring hobby: Miss Thorburn, Elvi Hale as the guest of the boat's second mate, Keith Michell, and Avice Landone as Parker's long-suffering wife. As the two younger women are instructed in sea craft, we learn the ins and outs of small boats, and their reactions to the bumptious behavior of weekend sailors become ours. We even feel sympathy for Parker, a specialist in unlikeable, comic stuffed shirts, because his wife loves him.

Miss Toye entered show business as a child, and was choreographing ballets by the age of nine. Her movie career began in 1931 as dancer. Within five years, she was choreographing for the movies, and she began directing movies in 1952. She was in charge of half a dozen movies, then continued to direct on television through 1982. She was awarded a CBE in 1992, and died in 2010, aged 92.

Amiable comedy drama

[malcolmgsw · 6/10 · 29 June 2018]

This film was directed by Wendy Toye who was one of the few women directors of the era.Featuring Rank contract actors JohnGregson and June Thorburn,with reliable support from Cecil Parker and Avice Langdon.Some good colour photography.This film is available through a new DVD release.Pleasant way to spend 90 minutes

"Goodbye Turtle. See you in France. I hope"

[hwg1957-102-265704 · 6/10 · 17 February 2021]

A charming romantic comedy with a bit of mystery set mainly on the 'Turtle' as it sails to France and back from England with a collection of likeable characters. There is a lot of location shooting at sea which gives it a salty tang and leaves you with a warm glow. The boat itself becomes a character, you get to know it intimately. There is a capable cast on board including Cecil Parker, Avice Landone, Elvi Hale, Keith Michell, John Gregson and the ever luminous June Thorburn. Directed by the under rated Wendy Toye, it is a most pleasant trip.

It's the kind of film that would never be made these days so one is grateful for its continuing existence in newer media.

Surprisingly uncliched - NOT ****ers Away!

[marietta20 · 14 March 2003]

First off - the colour was definitely faded and strange. I can see why someone thought it was colorized. But this didn't detract.

Seeing that it was an English comedy from this era about sailing, I anticipated "Carry-On type" cliches and stereotypes but was pleasantly surprised. A tiny bit of mystery, a bit of romance and a lot of authentic slogging around deck ...a pretty true picture of the "glamour of life on a sailing yacht". Lovely touches like the captain's wife and her tea no matter how dire the situation. A fun trip.

Messing About in Boats

[richardchatten · 3/10 · 2 February 2020]

Gorgeously shot in Eastman Colour by Reg Wyer with an attractive cast. Despite - or perhaps because - of the extensive photography on location and at sea which at the time probably seemed very glamorous, today it all seems cramped, garrulous and drawn out (although enlivened by the business with the casino), with a relentlessly 'jolly' nautical score by Robert Farnon.

The presence of John Gregson - and the ending - already revives memories of 'Genevieve', with the women reluctantly dragged along again far more chic and much cooler and more sensible than the men.

Tedious comedy

[TheKryptoniteKid · 4/10 · 20 January 1999]

A few bright moments cannot disguise the fact this film's on a wrong tack. Also, it's in colour (not colourised), and not black & white, as previously mentioned.

A film about playing about in boats

[vampire_hounddog · 4/10 · 21 August 2020]

A couple on their honeymoon (John Gregson and June Thorburn) join a couple of friends for a cross channel yachting holiday, much to the bride's disappointment. They also find themselves caught up with smugglers among other adventures.

Light romantic comedy from the Rank Organisation variety that ends up being pretty undemanding entertainment and will really only appeal to yachting types in this very English film.

A delightful sailing comedy

[kent-40 · 8/10 · 7 November 1999]

"True as a Turtle" provides an enjoyable look back at sailing and society in post-war England. The boats are beautiful, the sailing lore fascinating, and the people delightful. This is a little know treat--especially for those who sail.

A story about a boat and people who are 'nutty' about sailing

[christopher-reeve1 · 8/10 · 21 May 2006]

I love this film mainly because of the boat 'Turtle', a real little ship. The incidental music is also very pleasant and fits in well with the sailing theme. The storyline is nearly irrelevant but everybody carries the story off well in fact you could easily believe that the whole film was a dramatised documentary of a weekend sailing trip. There are plenty of good bits of humour and lots of 50's atmosphere to enjoy. I have watched the film at least 30 times over the last 30years and have never got bored with it. I have seen one continuity 'gaff', on the trip across to France the boat changes tack instantly between shots. The best line in the film is when John Gregson explains to his new wife that "Turtle is a proper ship, she sails" when comparing her to a very large luxury motor cruiser. You really do need also to be a sailing nut to really enjoy this film.

Turtle.

[freddiefroops · 10/10 · 26 May 2021]

Can anyone tell me if the yacht Turtle is really called that? She looks identical to a sailing vessel that I know well but is not of that name. Does anyone know? I agree with the person who said you must be a sailing nut to appreciate this film. I love it not just because I am a sailing nut (60 years sailing) but because I also know the locations very well. Watch it whenever I can and never get bored of it.

Genevieve On The High Seas

[andyrobert · 10/10 · 14 December 2020]

I went to the cinema to see this in 1958 when I was about 7 years old. Needless to say, I remember very little about the film, but there are a few scenes that stick in my mind.

For example: I remember the scene where Cecil Parker told a very young Keith Michelle (in one of his very early roles, before he became famous on television and at the cinema, portraying Henry VIII) to get off his ship, once in the mess room, and the other time when he was sat in the heads; and at the end of the film, when June Thorburn and John Gregson are seen cuddling up on their bunks together, while water is slopping around their feet, and the other actors are calling after them - a classic romantic ending, if ever there was one.

I have been trying to catch up with this film ever since I first saw it at the cinema and keep missing it when it comes on the television. However, I did manage to watch it on Talking Pictures this afternoon.

It was a very funny film, but very underrated and not as famous as some of the great British comedy films of the 1950s - they don't make them like this anymore.

I'll give it 10 out of 10.

On a poignant note: It was a pity about June Thorburn, a lovely actress, who adorned many a British film and television series. She was taken away so young, at the height of her career.