Tags
1950's, Adventure, Basil Sydney, Bob McNaught, Cy Grant, Drama, Joan Collins, Richard Burton, Sea Wife
The wonderful Gill and Cat invited me to take part in their Then and Now blogathon. I decided to review two movies, twenty years a part to fit in with the theme. As Joan Collins featured on one of the banners, it seemed only right to review two movies starring the great lady. The first up is Sea Wife.
Film Title
Sea Wife
Director
Bob McNaught
Starring
- Joan Collins as Sea Wife
- Richard Burton as Biscuit
- Basil Sydney as Bulldog
- Cy Grant as Number Four
An adventure drama from the 50’s that may not be high art and a tad disjointed, Sea Wife is nonetheless a worthwhile enough movie that holds the attention for its relatively short running time.
In 1942, a cargo ship in Singapore is boarding people before the Japanese Army arrives. They are however soon under attack, causing everyone to evacuate the boat. One a lifeboat, four disparate people end up escaping and separated from everyone else. None of them are really referred to by their real names, instead we get to know them through the nicknames they assign each other. There is military Officer Biscuit, beautiful Sea Wife( who is secretly a nun), bigoted businessman Bulldog and black purser Number Four. Frictions and tensions quickly rise as Bulldog and his prejudiced views belittle Number Four. Also, Biscuit begins to fall in love with Sea Wife, unaware that she is really a nun and is bound by her vows to God. Following being nearly thrown overboard in a storm, near starvation and desperation, they eventually end up washed onto an island. And while they all attempt to think of ways to make it back to civilisation, events take a tragic turn.
Bob McNaught and his direction are passable and do the job, yet can feel rather labored and in need of a fixer upper. The opening stretches of Sea Wife are the best areas of the film, with the attack of the ship and the subsequent introductions to the characters ending up quite fascinating. Sea Wife, while dated, is quite surprising since good doesn’t always triumph over bad here. In most old movies, good often prevails but in Sea Wife there is a definite melancholy to it that marks it out as something different. Plus, the topic of racism is approached with depth and a sensitivity rarely seen in a 50’s movie. Yet there are definitely some parts of the overall product that could have been improved. The sentimental nature is laid on a bit too thick in stretches and I think my biggest gripe was that events, especially when concerning the latter stages, feel rushed in comparison with the parts where we get to know the characters. A tad more expansion and some more back story for all of them would have been a blessing to this film. The flashback device is pretty nifty and well employed, while lending a bit more depth than what the script often gives us. Focusing on the attempts of Biscuit to find Sea Wife after the tumultuous events on the island, it gives more nuance to the film than it really should have. The music score for the film has a real sweeping quality to it, that I really enjoyed and found beautiful to listen to.
As the eponymous character, Joan Collins is the main focal point of the film. Although known primarily for playing super bitches and glamour goddesses, it’s somewhat refreshing to see a very young Joan Collins in a serene and sincere role. There’s a real sweetness to her here and her beautiful face often speaks volumes in terms of feeling. If you’ve only ever thought of Joan Collins as the aforementioned diva, please check out Sea Wife to see another side to her. You may be surprised to see her play a nun, but it actually works. The ever intense Richard Burton is on hand too, with his customary seriousness and brooding, ideal for his part of the pining man. Basil Sydney really gets into character as the horrible racist, whose prejudices and nastiness, are rendered in full villainous form. Finally, we have Cy Grant as the abused yet useful man, who suffers at the hands of Bulldog simply because of his skin colour. It is with the cast that Sea Wife rises above its many flaws. And while their roles are not what you’d call the best written, they all make them work.
No classic of adventure by means, but still owning enough moments and good acting to tide us over, Sea Wife is an interesting movie to be sure.
raistlin0903 said:
Never heard of this one (but that’s on me 😂). A movie for me doesn’t always have to be a classic to make it entertaining. But this one sounds like a really enjoyable movie to say the least. And of course as always your review makes me want to see it even more. Great post 😀
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vinnieh said:
Oh I agree. Not every movie can be a classic, it’s highly impossible. For all the flaws this had, it still did a good job with the cast.
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sonofabeach96 said:
Haven’t seen this one. I’ll have to check it out. Glad to hear from ya’. Hope all is well. 😊
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vinnieh said:
I’m back with a bang. There’s no stopping me now!
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sonofabeach96 said:
Good deal. 👍🏻
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Elizabeth said:
I never even knew that there was a “then” for Joan Collins!
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vinnieh said:
She’s been acting since the 50’s. She’s been around for so long, a constant presence on television and movies.
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fragglerocking said:
Cool review V~man, hadn’t heard of this before.
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vinnieh said:
I only just discovered it.
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beetleypete said:
I saw this donkey’s years ago, and recall being bored with the lifeboat scenes, which lacked authenticity, at least to me. Joan was always good to look at though, even as she got older. Perhaps not one of our better actresses from the era, but she held that old film together well enough. I think ‘melodrama’ sums it up nicely.
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Yes, this movie definitely has many faults and flaws. Joan Collins is a stunner, who still looks fabulous now.
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Cindy Bruchman said:
I’ve never seen a John Collins film. This might be a fine place to start!
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vinnieh said:
I never realised how many films she’d actually been in. She is really good here.
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
I haven’t seen this movie before but it definitely sounds interesting! Fantastic Review Vinnie!!!😎
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vinnieh said:
It’s no masterwork, but I liked seeing Joan Collins and Richard Burton.
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
I do enjoy them as well!😉
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vinnieh said:
They are both great here.
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thoughtsallsorts said:
This sounds (and looks) good…definitely need to keep an eye out for it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Have never watched Joan Collins before.
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vinnieh said:
She’s pretty effective in an atypical role.
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Realweegiemidget Reviews said:
Thanks for joining us in this blogathon and this lovely introduction to this film, Richard Burton with Collins sounds like a must watch. Thanks for joining our blogathon.
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vinnieh said:
They work very well together. And it was very refreshing to see Joan Collins play a good girl. We get so used to seeing her play the bad girl, so it’s a pleasant change.
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Realweegiemidget Reviews said:
She does play bad so well!
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vinnieh said:
Indeed she does. Super bitches are her speciality.
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Realweegiemidget Reviews said:
Some of her Dynasty lines are fantastic and Joan delivers them wonderfully
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vinnieh said:
I’ve heard she truly rocks that part. My mother used to adore the show.
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