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.
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.
The film was released eighteen months after its source novel was published. See more »
Goofs
When David and Romer are talking in Romer's living room, David's hair is messy and over his forehead. Later, David's hair is combed and neatly presented. See more »
Quotes
Adam Coffin:
Kevin sure gives me the willies. He doesn't say much.
Romer Treece:
Maybe he don't like you, Adam! He likes me!
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Alternate Versions
The version aired in the original ABC network telecast contained 53 minutes of extra footage that were not shown in the theatrical production. This version was broadcast over two nights in early 1980. The additional material includes:
When the film starts, it begins with a two and a half minute prologue of the munition ship going down in the storm, while a young Adam Coffin is on board. There is also a title card, claiming the film has been "edited for television." In the morning after, a young Romer Treece finds Coffin barely alive, covered by a piece of debris.
The opening scene includes an extra shot of Gail being pulled by an unseen eel.
In addition to the extra shot, this version omits many of the "money shots" of Jacqueline Bisset's t-shirt.
There is added ADR of David asking Gail if she's really alright, once the two are back on the boat.
In the same scene, the shot wherein the two examine the medallion is from a new angle.
When the two get back to the island, Gail goes and takes a quick rinse of the salt water, though her line referencing it, heard in the theatrical cut, is deleted. This scene goes on to show more footage of David and Slake discussing the events of the morning. The scene ends with David and Gail going to the elevator.
A new scene after David and Gail are in the library, where the two go to see the librarian(spoken of in the theatrical version) where the librarian reveals that Treece has been on every Bermuda wreck, that Treece is a very secretive person, and warns the two that people on St. David's Island are not very friendly.
Longer scene of David and Gail's journey to St. David's Island. This includes padded footage of the two on motor-scooters, and David asking Gail if they have the right directions.
When David and Gail arrive at Treece's lighthouse, they search the area, find artifacts from the sea, and ponder whether Treece is even at home, only to be startled by Kevin, threatening the two with a rifle before letting them see Treece.
After the first visit with Treece, there is an extra shot of him in his library.
The Haitian motor chase is much longer, providing a more gritty feel, before the kidnapping. This scene includes different angles, and close ups of David and Gail's feet as they helplessly pedal.
An extra shot of the Haitian car taking David and Gail to Cloche's hideout.
The scene where Cloche searches David and Gail has been highly edited, save for a few new moments at the end when Cloche forces David and Gail back into their blindfolds, and warns them not to go to the authorities, telling them instead to forget the whole thing ever happened.
Extra establishing shots of the scene that introduces Coffin.
In the scene on the water, when Treece and David argue the morphine, the end has included a shot of Gail storming out of the cabin.
The argument between David and Gail in their cabin is longer; They are writing postcards, and start to discuss how stupid 'games' on T.V. are. This leads to the argument that we start the scene with in the theatrical cut.
While diving at night, David and Treece discuss Adam, and why he's not to be trusted, including his 'story' and history, and why Treece doesn't let Adam dive with them. Later, the scene extends even more, showing us Treece's knowledge of the sea, and we learn a little bit about his own history.
A small scene has been added with Gail at the Hotel restaurant, alone, while David and Treece are diving.
A plethora of extra footage of David and Treece diving has been added, including underwater scenes, and scenes inside the shipwreck.
After Treece and David get done diving, Cloche's men, in a speedboat, taunt the two, by circling them. The line heard in the ship "The biggest moray eel I ever saw" is heard in full form here as well.
Extra footage has been added with the struggle of David and Treece against Cloche's men; David's elevator fight is longer, and a small segment where Treece attacks a man with a sprinkler and hose is added.
Later that night, at Treece's lighthouse, we see David put Gail to bed, but she gets up. This scene also features a longer conversation between David and Treece, where David apologizes to Treece for blaming him in an earlier scene, and admits his own selfishness. The conversation between Treece and Gail and equally been extended, with Gail asking Treece about his wife, Treece becoming gruff on the subject, and Gail apologizing.
The next scene with David and Gail in the bedroom has been dramatically extended, with Gail and David having a full conversation about their trip, Gail confessing that she likes Treece, and finally, the two admitting their love for each other, and the scene ends with a new, longer take of the two kissing.
The next scene at the sporting even features longer conversation between Treece, and Cloche; It's revealed that Cloche's men killed Treece's wife over a miscommunicated ship sinking.
Before the three go down to hunt the treasure, there is extra conversation of David asking Gail if she's okay, Gail explaining why she wants to wear a tank, and Treece laughing with her.
More underwater footage has been added to the next scene.
In the theatrical cut, Gail sends the ampules up alone. This time, she takes them up herself, and while she's letting Kevin refill her oxygen tank, there is a small conversation about Treece; He was always like a 'King' of St. David's Island, always having an eye on things (this explains an earlier line: 'I'm all the government you need, boy!) and rumors of Treece being linked as a partner to Cloche.
When Treece is planting the ampules in the lighthouse, extra dialogue of David asking Treece about his past his added.
The second conversation between Cloche and Coffin is much longer, with Cloche tricking Coffin into trusting him and telling him about Treece's secrecy.
Extended dinner scene between Gail, David, and Treece, where new information of the treasure is revealed.
When Coffin arrives at St. David's, there is an extended greeting; Treece tells Coffin he has rum waiting for him, and David suggests a whole other 3 lock box that may exist. Later, in the scene, an extra conversation revealing how exhausted David and Gail are, takes place.
Upon leaving to blow up the Goliath, David and Treece exchange heated words, and Treece's character development comes full circle, revealing he was never in cahoots with Cloche.
Before the final dive, Treece teaches Gail how to use Kevin's rifle, for protection. Then, Gail takes care of the diving equipment.
I have the movie on Video, would buy it on DVD, I have read all the other reviews and surprised nobody mentioned the great music by John Barry. The theme made it to the radio top hits in 1977 For me, the music makes this movie, together with the three main stars including Shaw, Nolte and the beautiful Jacqueline Bisset. Is there an actress today quite so stunning? Don't think so... The Deep probably did not have the impact of Peter Benchley's Jaws but I like it just as much. The music is more melodic, the warmer location Bermuda, in contrast to the cooler Cape Cod of Jaws. I always appreciate a good treasure hunt anyway, Spanish doubloons and the possibility of reef predators adds interest. Watch it just to see Bisset in skimpy scuba swimsuit... you won't be disappointed
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I have the movie on Video, would buy it on DVD, I have read all the other reviews and surprised nobody mentioned the great music by John Barry. The theme made it to the radio top hits in 1977 For me, the music makes this movie, together with the three main stars including Shaw, Nolte and the beautiful Jacqueline Bisset. Is there an actress today quite so stunning? Don't think so... The Deep probably did not have the impact of Peter Benchley's Jaws but I like it just as much. The music is more melodic, the warmer location Bermuda, in contrast to the cooler Cape Cod of Jaws. I always appreciate a good treasure hunt anyway, Spanish doubloons and the possibility of reef predators adds interest. Watch it just to see Bisset in skimpy scuba swimsuit... you won't be disappointed