The Deep (1977)

In Bermuda, two amateur treasure-hunting divers have a run-in with local criminals when they inadvertently discover the secret cargo of a World War II shipwreck.

Director:

Peter Yates

Writers:

Peter Benchley (novel), Peter Benchley (screenplay)

Stars:

Jacqueline Bisset, Nick Nolte, Dick Anthony Williams

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Gail Berke
Nick Nolte	...	David Sanders
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Slake
Robert Shaw	...	Romer Treece
Earl Maynard	...	Ronald
Bob Minor	...	Wiley
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	Henri Cloche (as Louis Gossett)
Eli Wallach	...	Adam Coffin
Teddy Tucker	...	The Harbor Master
Robert Tessier	...	Kevin
Lee McClain	...	Johnson

Storyline

A pair of young vacationers are involved in a dangerous conflict with treasure hunters when they discover a way into a deadly wreck in Bermuda waters. Featuring extended underwater sequences and a look into the affairs of treasure hunting. Based on the novel by Peter "Jaws" Benchley.

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Plot Keywords:

see through clothes | nipples visible through clothing | female in swimsuit | moray eel | scuba diving | 

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Taglines:

Is the treasure worth the terror? [Video Australia]

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Genres:

Adventure | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Second filmed adaptation of a Peter Benchley novel, the first was Jaws (1975). Movie versions of Benchley novels became popular in Hollywood for a brief time during the mid to late 1970s, due to the box-office success of Jaws (1975), itself spawning three sequels, which included Jaws 2 (1978) made during this period. Also made during this era, was Peter Benchley's The Island (1980). "The Deep" was Benchley's second novel.

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Goofs

In one or two scenes, two scuba divers in the wreck pop up into an air space and have a conversation. It's not likely that a shipwreck under water for 30 or more years will have any air bubbles still in it.

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Quotes

Romer Treece: You know what they say about these waters: if the Jamaican pirates don't get you, it'll be the cold embrace of the sea. And that's no lover's kiss.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: Bermuda

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Alternate Versions

The original UK cinema version was cut for an 'A' (PG) certificate by the BBFC with edits to the body search of Gail by Cloche's men, removal of shots of Gail's bloody stomach during the voodoo scene, and heavy cuts to punches and groin kicks in the fight between Kevin and Slake. Later releases were upgraded to a 15 certificate and uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in Zeg 'ns Aaa: Opgeruimd staat netjes (1987)

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Soundtracks

Calypso Disco
Written by Beckett (uncredited)
Sung by Beckett
Courtesy Casablanca Records

User Reviews

Cinematic Guilty Pleasure

In spite of its many shortcomings (lazy direction, over-the-top acting, gratuitous violence, to name a few), you really HAVE to love this movie! Two years removed from the sensational release of JAWS, THE DEEP in many ways had some very big shoes to fill. For me, THE DEEP is JAWS-lite -- a kind of melodramatic, soap-opery version of JAWS. For all its flaws, allow me to wax poetic about the many virtues of this sublime cinematic guilty pleasure:

1) That amazing opening aerial montage of Bermuda - maybe the greatest opening establishing shot in the history of cinema. All the Bermuda based location work in this movie is top notch, adding a rich and handsome texture to the otherwise middling narrative.

2) Robert Shaw. While his performance is slightly overbaked (while also channeling and lazily riffing on Quint), his performance still manages to be larger than life - the delightful glue that keeps this movie together. What an amazing run he had over the last five years of his life, highlighted by THE STING in '73, THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1-2-3 in '74, JAWS in '75, BLACK Sunday in '76 and THE DEEP in '77. Amazing.

3) A 32 year old Jacqueline Bisset. As a 13 year old boy, I can assure you that she made a pretty indelible impression on me.

4) The great supporting turns from Eli Wallach and Lou Gossett, Jr.

I could go on but suffice it to say that watching this movie from time to time is sorta like taking a warm bath in the dead of winter. It's one of those movies that somehow never gets stale and always manages to entertain despite its shortcomings.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

17 June 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Deep

Filming Locations:

Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,835,540, 19 June 1977

Gross USA:

$47,346,365

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$47,346,365

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, EMI Films, Casablanca Filmworks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min 176 min (special edition) (TV)

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1