This thriller has the unusual setting of a cross channel swim.Derek Bond,as was often the case plays a nasty two timing rat who gets in too deep with one of the swimmers and decides that the only way out of the situation is to murder her during her cross channel swim and to concoct an elaborate alibi. The police trey it as a simple case of drowning.However when Bond realises that her co swimmer Sheldon Lawrence suspects murder he decides to try and drown Lawrence.However all his plans come unstuck. Interesting to see in a garage scene Arthur Lowe and future director John Schlesinger. Although slightly predictable,entertaining to watch.
11 Reviews
The Man in the Speedboat
richardchatten22 May 2020
Five years after Esther Williams swam the Channel in 'Dangerous When Wet' someone had the bright idea of setting a crime drama against the backdrop of another Channel swim with an American star and authentic Dover locations.
Joy Webster looks great in a swimsuit if predictably unconvincing as a top model whose sideline is endurance swimming; and the viewer's time is also rewarded by a scene in a garage in which the mechanics are played by Arthur Lowe and John Schlesinger...!
Joy Webster looks great in a swimsuit if predictably unconvincing as a top model whose sideline is endurance swimming; and the viewer's time is also rewarded by a scene in a garage in which the mechanics are played by Arthur Lowe and John Schlesinger...!
Authentic English Channel drama
Maverick196226 October 2019
Having worked in and around Dover for many years from the 1970's I was fascinated to watch Stormy Crossing made in 1958 to see how it looked back then. Unfortunately we only see the coast and some scenes in Folkestone ( the next town). Nevertheless, there is a real sense that you are actually there on that coastline, and it feels very authentic and not just studio bound. John Ireland is an American cross channel coach, training his younger brother, Sheldon Lawrence, a cocky one dimensional actor. Ireland on the other hand was an excellent actor so he carries some of the other cast. Maureen Connell who plays their hotel manager is particularly appealing. Derek Bond is the not so nice posh bloke who causes the main interest in this slim thriller but it's still quite watchable for the decent performances, particularly a short scene in a garage with the soon to be famous Arthur Lowe of Dad's Army fame and film director John Schlesinger.
Decent Suspense With An Interesting Setting
Snow Leopard8 June 2001
"Black Tide", also called "Stormy Crossing", is a decent mystery/suspense story with an interesting setting. While the story itself is fairly routine, the setting and some likeable characters make it worth watching.
The story takes place in Dover (England). As it begins, two swimmers are in training for an attempt to swim across the English Channel - Danny, an experienced swimmer trained by his brother Griff, and Kitty, a model and amateur swimmer, backed by a separate group. They decide to make their attempt together, but things go very wrong. Danny is convinced that what happened was no accident, and he tries to investigate despite the fact that no one else believes him.
The events that follow are not too surprising, and sometimes predictable, but the story keeps the viewer's interest once it gets going. It's a mostly plausible story, and it is helped by some other positive features.
The channel/seacoast setting is an interesting one that works well for this kind of story, and it is nicely done. You do feel as if you are there at the Channel, with the mist, the birds, and the current. There are also a couple pretty likeable characters: John Ireland is good as Griff, and Maureen Connell is good as the young hotel manager. Danny, though, is not a very good character - pretty much a stereotyped indignant, headstrong young man. Overall, the positives outweigh the weaknesses.
Most fans of mystery or suspense films should find this worth a look.
The story takes place in Dover (England). As it begins, two swimmers are in training for an attempt to swim across the English Channel - Danny, an experienced swimmer trained by his brother Griff, and Kitty, a model and amateur swimmer, backed by a separate group. They decide to make their attempt together, but things go very wrong. Danny is convinced that what happened was no accident, and he tries to investigate despite the fact that no one else believes him.
The events that follow are not too surprising, and sometimes predictable, but the story keeps the viewer's interest once it gets going. It's a mostly plausible story, and it is helped by some other positive features.
The channel/seacoast setting is an interesting one that works well for this kind of story, and it is nicely done. You do feel as if you are there at the Channel, with the mist, the birds, and the current. There are also a couple pretty likeable characters: John Ireland is good as Griff, and Maureen Connell is good as the young hotel manager. Danny, though, is not a very good character - pretty much a stereotyped indignant, headstrong young man. Overall, the positives outweigh the weaknesses.
Most fans of mystery or suspense films should find this worth a look.
Drowned At Sea
boblipton22 January 2023
Sheldon Lawrence is in England to swim the Channel under the coaching of his brother, John Ireland. Joy Webster is also planning to do the swim, and they develop a friendship. Any deeper feelings are forestalled when Miss Webster tells Lawrence she is to be married to someone as soon as he gets a divorce. When they set off for their swims, a fog comes up and Miss Webster drowns. Lawrence, however, thinks it's murder.
It's nicely performed under the direction of C. M. Pennington-Richards, with DP Geoffrey Faithfull offering some nicely lit compositions. Alas, I didn't find the mystery aspect of it challenging, but a good cast includes Derek Bond, Leslie Dwyer, Maureen Connell, John Horsely, John Schlesinger, and swimmer Sam Rockett as himself.
It's nicely performed under the direction of C. M. Pennington-Richards, with DP Geoffrey Faithfull offering some nicely lit compositions. Alas, I didn't find the mystery aspect of it challenging, but a good cast includes Derek Bond, Leslie Dwyer, Maureen Connell, John Horsely, John Schlesinger, and swimmer Sam Rockett as himself.
Good but could have been better.
rhpbates8 June 2020
I assume this was one of those B movies made then.Usually shown in a double bill in the cinemas.I couldn't really call this a murder mystery as you see who the killer is from their first murder.As often happens in this type of thing the smaller parts are more interesting than the main leads.Leslie Dwyer is interesting here in a small role and nice to see Arthur Lowe in a small part years before Dad's Army.
One of the most extraordinary scenes in fifties Brit movies
brendanbbruce4 August 2018
The film is of no interest as a who dunnit (as a child of five could guess who diddit) but for the fact that one quick scene in a garage has the most extraordinary cast. The dialogue is between John Ireland (archetypical Hollywood beefcake); Arthur Lowe (one of Britain's greatest comic actors); and John Schlesinger (one of Britain's greatest movie directors).
It's a watchable mystery.
Sleepin_Dragon1 June 2023
Danny Parker is set to swim The English channel, but he's distracted by a beautiful young woman, who's also there to complete the swim, tragedy strikes, and she drowns, Danny is convinced she was murdered.
As a whodunnit, it doesn't offer up anything really, as we see the incident, it would have worked better had they omitted that scene.
So it's more in the mystery thriller genre, on the plus side, the visuals are striking, it looks and feels very authentic, and The Dover setting works incredibly well, on the debit side, I found the story a little weak, there's nothing original, the film doesn't cover any new ground.
Best scene, Baker's Garage, look out for Arthur Lowe (of Dad's Army fame,) and John Schlesinger. John Horsley and John Ireland were pretty good. Joy Webster and Sheldon Lawrence are pretty convincing, and add a bit of glamour.
It's a competent movie, 6/10.
As a whodunnit, it doesn't offer up anything really, as we see the incident, it would have worked better had they omitted that scene.
So it's more in the mystery thriller genre, on the plus side, the visuals are striking, it looks and feels very authentic, and The Dover setting works incredibly well, on the debit side, I found the story a little weak, there's nothing original, the film doesn't cover any new ground.
Best scene, Baker's Garage, look out for Arthur Lowe (of Dad's Army fame,) and John Schlesinger. John Horsley and John Ireland were pretty good. Joy Webster and Sheldon Lawrence are pretty convincing, and add a bit of glamour.
It's a competent movie, 6/10.
Routine 'B'-pic is okay as a pleasant reminder of a bygone era of filmmaking.
jamesraeburn200315 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
When the attractive model Kitty Tyndall (played by Joy Webster) is drowned whilst taking part in a cross channel swim, her competitor, Danny Parker ( played by Sheldon Lawrance), is convinced she was murdered and sets out to investigate. When he too is killed his brother, Griff (played by John Ireland), aided by hotel receptionist Shelley Baxter ( played by Maureen Connell) sets out to uncover the truth...
Routine 'B'-pic whodunit with a fairly predictable plot that stretches credibility at times. It does, however, remain a pleasant reminder of a bygone era of British filmmaking with an interesting cast. Aside from the obligatory imported American stars (Ireland and Lawrance), Arthur Lowe shows up in a bit part as a mechanic as does John Schelsinger who would soon ditch acting and become the leading director of films such as Billy Liar and Darling. Derek Bond is also noteworthy as the villain. Another highlight is the delightful period shots of 1950's Dover, which are used to maximum effect by the veteran cameraman Geoffrey Faithfull. It was directed by C. M Pennington Richards, a former cameraman who made mostly comedies when he turned to direction.
Routine 'B'-pic whodunit with a fairly predictable plot that stretches credibility at times. It does, however, remain a pleasant reminder of a bygone era of British filmmaking with an interesting cast. Aside from the obligatory imported American stars (Ireland and Lawrance), Arthur Lowe shows up in a bit part as a mechanic as does John Schelsinger who would soon ditch acting and become the leading director of films such as Billy Liar and Darling. Derek Bond is also noteworthy as the villain. Another highlight is the delightful period shots of 1950's Dover, which are used to maximum effect by the veteran cameraman Geoffrey Faithfull. It was directed by C. M Pennington Richards, a former cameraman who made mostly comedies when he turned to direction.
Very limp Sea Drama Film from the late 50's.
geoffm6029517 October 2019
A lightweight and weak story line, cliched dialogue, and then combine it with mediocre acting from the two female stars, makes this a tedious and underwhelming film drama that never gets out of second gear! The other problem is that too many of the characters are one dimensional and so it fails to attract the interest of the audience. John Ireland, the usual tough film guy, was badly miscast, playing a very unconvincing swimming coach. The villain of the piece, Derek Bond, plays the usual, middle class smarmy cad type, leading a double life, but all too predictably gets his come uppance. Joy Webster, who plays Kitty, shows little emotion throughout the film, never really engaging with the role of the mistress in a marriage triangle. She looks great in a swimsuit but her wooden acting crushes any potential interest in the story. This was a very disappointing film, perhaps watched simply for views of Dover in the 1950's and ladies swimwear! I can't recommend this film.
In Too Deep!!
kidboots27 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A very interesting thriller set amidst the back drop of a swimming challenge across the English Channel. John Ireland proved that unlike a lot of his American compatriots he fitted in quite well with the understated British acting style - he plays Griff, an experienced swimmer attempting to keep his more laid back brother Danny (Sheldon Lawrence) on track to compete his Channel crossing. Also coming to the quiet Dover inn with plenty of fan fare is Kitty (Joy Webster) a model and amateur swimmer who, when she gets friendly with Danny, expresses her doubts and fears about her swim.
The movie establishes the plot with some interesting information - Ireland's character sounds as though he really knows what he's talking about, giving Danny tips to help him with his concentration and psychological feelings to get him through his swim. Agree with the other reviewer, the seaside setting with the mournful birds and the fog give a gloomy atmosphere to the mystery to come.
Danny is confidant that he will add Kitty to his list of conquests and convinces her to make the swim with him as her swimming partner but Kitty is already involved with her boss and yes, it's Derek Bond, so you know how it's all going to end!! And Kitty has just had a blazing row with him along the lines of "if you don't tell your wife - I will"!!! So when the swim is underway and a motor boat appears just ahead of her, you are in no doubt that foul play is on the cards and who the perpetrator is!! The big mystery (with his airtight alibi) is how was it done!! And hanging around the inn is not a smart move, for Danny is telling everyone that it was murder!!!
A big plus for the movie is Maureen Connell, she plays attractive hotel manager Shelley Baxter who becomes convinced (unlike local police) that Danny is on to something. In a key and pretty exciting scene Shelley goes searching for a missing bracelet charm - even though just a cheap trinket, Kitty indicated it meant a lot to her and Shelley is convinced she knows who has the missing piece.
Tempean Films were noted for their quality and for making their brisk thrillers very fast paced and looking a lot more expensively produced than they actually were. Starting in the early 1950s with "Black Out" and "No Trace", by the time "Black Tide" came along, Baker and Berman could see the writing on the wall and the future in television and went on to produce "Gideon's Way" and "The Saint".
The movie establishes the plot with some interesting information - Ireland's character sounds as though he really knows what he's talking about, giving Danny tips to help him with his concentration and psychological feelings to get him through his swim. Agree with the other reviewer, the seaside setting with the mournful birds and the fog give a gloomy atmosphere to the mystery to come.
Danny is confidant that he will add Kitty to his list of conquests and convinces her to make the swim with him as her swimming partner but Kitty is already involved with her boss and yes, it's Derek Bond, so you know how it's all going to end!! And Kitty has just had a blazing row with him along the lines of "if you don't tell your wife - I will"!!! So when the swim is underway and a motor boat appears just ahead of her, you are in no doubt that foul play is on the cards and who the perpetrator is!! The big mystery (with his airtight alibi) is how was it done!! And hanging around the inn is not a smart move, for Danny is telling everyone that it was murder!!!
A big plus for the movie is Maureen Connell, she plays attractive hotel manager Shelley Baxter who becomes convinced (unlike local police) that Danny is on to something. In a key and pretty exciting scene Shelley goes searching for a missing bracelet charm - even though just a cheap trinket, Kitty indicated it meant a lot to her and Shelley is convinced she knows who has the missing piece.
Tempean Films were noted for their quality and for making their brisk thrillers very fast paced and looking a lot more expensively produced than they actually were. Starting in the early 1950s with "Black Out" and "No Trace", by the time "Black Tide" came along, Baker and Berman could see the writing on the wall and the future in television and went on to produce "Gideon's Way" and "The Saint".
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