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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Based on a short story by Nicholas Monsarrat (author of 'The Cruel Sea') and directed by Basil Dearden (The Blue Lamp, The League Of Gentleman) The Ship That Died Of Shame takes place during the bleak aftermath of the Second World War a crew of navy veterans, played by screen legend Richard Attenborough, George Baker (The Dam Busters) and Bill Owen (Last Of The Summer Wine), are forced into smuggling black market goods across the English Channel to make ends meet. But it isn't long before wine and cigarettes are replaced by the more lucrative cargo of automatic weapons and counterfeit money. A crisis of conscience lies upon the horizon when one of the crew refuses to turn a blind eye after discovering that the mysterious stranger they've been asked to smuggle into England hides a dark and harrowing secret. ...The Ship That Died of Shame ( PT Raiders )
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
During WWII, the highly successful crew of a gunboat seem invincible! The boat is extremely powerful; the crew, masterful and they record hit after hit on the enemy, without casualty, themselves.
However, all good (and bad) things eventually come to an end and, with the end of the war, came the end of the good times (this is not to say everyone at war had or has a "good time").
As happened with so many ex-service personnel, who fought for their country, the heroes returned to "Civvy Street" only to find they had difficulties. During a chance encounter in a bar, some of the old comrades meet and yarn over the past. A suggestion is made that they might go into business, albeit more peaceable this time.
As it happens, the gunboat they had so many adventures in, had been left derelect for a number of years, but was up for sale. They buy it and completely refurbish it, remembering the "good old days" whilst doing so. After some wrangling, the crew is set and ready to undertake their business. However, before too long, the business becomes somewhat more "shady" than some of them had anticipated; smuggling alcohol. However, despite a "run in" with Customs, they continue.
Things continue with intrigue, dodgy deals and further visits from Customs. However, there isn't enough money in smuggling a few bottles of booze every so often. It is decided to move into a slightly different cargo - human traffic.
A murder, some narrow escapes and gradually, the boat mysteriously suffers engine trouble; almost as though it has the conscience that its owners ought to have. It isn't a happy ending....
Watch out for some first-class performances by Richard Attenborough, Bill Owen and Bernard Lee (who plays the Customs officer). His parting words, to describe his ruthless killer: "Lah dee dah" (referring to the man's upper-class accent). BRILLIANT!!
Many excellent action shots at sea, lots of white water crashing around and a very atmospheric film!
However, all good (and bad) things eventually come to an end and, with the end of the war, came the end of the good times (this is not to say everyone at war had or has a "good time").
As happened with so many ex-service personnel, who fought for their country, the heroes returned to "Civvy Street" only to find they had difficulties. During a chance encounter in a bar, some of the old comrades meet and yarn over the past. A suggestion is made that they might go into business, albeit more peaceable this time.
As it happens, the gunboat they had so many adventures in, had been left derelect for a number of years, but was up for sale. They buy it and completely refurbish it, remembering the "good old days" whilst doing so. After some wrangling, the crew is set and ready to undertake their business. However, before too long, the business becomes somewhat more "shady" than some of them had anticipated; smuggling alcohol. However, despite a "run in" with Customs, they continue.
Things continue with intrigue, dodgy deals and further visits from Customs. However, there isn't enough money in smuggling a few bottles of booze every so often. It is decided to move into a slightly different cargo - human traffic.
A murder, some narrow escapes and gradually, the boat mysteriously suffers engine trouble; almost as though it has the conscience that its owners ought to have. It isn't a happy ending....
Watch out for some first-class performances by Richard Attenborough, Bill Owen and Bernard Lee (who plays the Customs officer). His parting words, to describe his ruthless killer: "Lah dee dah" (referring to the man's upper-class accent). BRILLIANT!!
Many excellent action shots at sea, lots of white water crashing around and a very atmospheric film!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Perhaps you have to be able to remember when British black and white cinema was not so much entertainment, but was more like a way of life. Sadly, towards the end of the 1950s, the rise of television meant that the weekly ritual of regular cinema-going fell into decline and some would argue, so did the British film industry, but in a strange, round about way, it was the popularity of television that saved classics like Ealing Studio's The Ship That Died Of Shame. Basil Deardon's adaptation of the novel by Nicholas Monserrat - perhaps more famous for The Cruel Sea, were run and re-run on TV during the 60s and 70s. Stalwart British actors like George Baker and Richard Attenborough, popped up time and time again in so many brilliant gems from a number of different British studios. If you like a good story, fast-moving action and actors who can perform blind folded, then this movie is for you. Coastal Command vessel 1087, commanded by Lt Cmdr Randall (George Baker)goes from gallant action against the Germans during WWII to gun-running and worse during times of peace. As more and more dishonour is brought on board her decks by the money-grabbing (Hoskins), played by Richard Attenborough, 1087 begins her supernatural rebellion in an effort to preserve some of the dignity she earned in war. Brilliantly supported by character actors Bill Owen (who many forget had a film career before Last of the Summer Wine), Bernard Lee (Dunkirk, The Battle of the Rive Plate, and of course James Bond fame) and the lovely, talented Virginia McKenna(Carve Her Name With Pride, A Town Like Alice and Born Free to name but a few); this movie is worth every penny. Beautiful cinematography, particularly the night scenes filmed at sea, John Whiting, Michael Relph and Basil Deardon's engaging screenplay and the Ealing/Michael Balcon seal of approval, create yet another Ealing Classic that will surely endure.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
`The ship' is a small, fast British naval vessel of the Motor-Torpedo-Boat/Fast Attack Craft fashion. Very light, with a hull made of wood, very fast with up to 3 powerful engines, and very well armed for its size. We see it and its crew in action during WW2. They score success after success and the vessel never fails. For them, war is just a big exciting adventure. But the war ends.
Peacetime, shore-side; things are bleak. Thery manage to buy back their decomissioned little ship. Stripped of all its armour it becomes faster still - eminently suitable for cross-channel smuggling. What starts out as an equally lighthearted crusade to supply goodies for ration-wracked Blighty, motives darken and tasks become increasingly sordid. The vessel's declining reliablility becomes a metaphor for the blurring of its crews' moral fibre.
With a corking cast starring Richard Attenborough, George Baker, Bill Owen, Jinny McEnna and Bernard Lee, there's plenty of snap & crackle. Script is basic though decent. Some of the model effects are a bit obvious though not tacky. But the real plus of this movie are the shots at sea of this terrific powerboat charging through white-caps. Deck and bridge scenes are commendable. Water flies with gusto! this is no bucket-of-water and hose-pipe sprinkler hokum. These actors must have got a darn good soaking. I'm sure some of the deck-falls weren't rehearsed.
It's an old movie, and there's one or two stagy bits - especially the cottage romance sequence between Baker & McEnna, but there's much to enjoy in this war/peacetime drama. For the nautical equivalent of Anoraks - Sou'westers, I suppose - this movie is a must.
The DVD supplied by Amazon is a decent print both vision and soundwise. Filmed in B&W, 88mins run-time, PG rating. Wee bit pricey though, at a whisker under nine spons.
Peacetime, shore-side; things are bleak. Thery manage to buy back their decomissioned little ship. Stripped of all its armour it becomes faster still - eminently suitable for cross-channel smuggling. What starts out as an equally lighthearted crusade to supply goodies for ration-wracked Blighty, motives darken and tasks become increasingly sordid. The vessel's declining reliablility becomes a metaphor for the blurring of its crews' moral fibre.
With a corking cast starring Richard Attenborough, George Baker, Bill Owen, Jinny McEnna and Bernard Lee, there's plenty of snap & crackle. Script is basic though decent. Some of the model effects are a bit obvious though not tacky. But the real plus of this movie are the shots at sea of this terrific powerboat charging through white-caps. Deck and bridge scenes are commendable. Water flies with gusto! this is no bucket-of-water and hose-pipe sprinkler hokum. These actors must have got a darn good soaking. I'm sure some of the deck-falls weren't rehearsed.
It's an old movie, and there's one or two stagy bits - especially the cottage romance sequence between Baker & McEnna, but there's much to enjoy in this war/peacetime drama. For the nautical equivalent of Anoraks - Sou'westers, I suppose - this movie is a must.
The DVD supplied by Amazon is a decent print both vision and soundwise. Filmed in B&W, 88mins run-time, PG rating. Wee bit pricey though, at a whisker under nine spons.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Nostalgia
A solid example of a product of its era.
The plot is a very classic one; War veterans that, after the hostilities have ended, find themselves incapable (or unwilling) to cope... Read more
The plot is a very classic one; War veterans that, after the hostilities have ended, find themselves incapable (or unwilling) to cope... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Robbie the Fisherman
Good film
A very watchable film. Thoroughly enjoyed watching Bill Owen, George Baker and Richard Atternborough - a very good combination of actors. A good interesting story.
Published 13 months ago by Ms. Nicola J. Booth
NOSTALGIC MEMORIES
WHEN HONOUR AND RESPECT COUNTED, THIS FILM REMINDS YOU OF WHAT THE WORLD HAS GIVEN AWAY. THE BOAT ( AN MTB OF WWII,) IS USED LATER BY IT'S CREW FOR WRONG DOINGS. Read more
Published 15 months ago by B. C. Lapping
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