Sailor Tom Merriam (a solid and engaging performance by Russell Wade) signs on as third officer of the cargo ship Altair that's commanded with an iron fist by the strict Captain Will Stone (superbly underplayed with quiet menace by Robert Dix). After several crew members meet strange untimely deaths, Merriam suspects that the unstable Stone committed them. However, Merriam can't get anyone else to believe him.
Director Mark Robson wrings plenty of nerve-rattling tension from the claustrophobic ship setting and does an ace job of crafting loads of spooky atmosphere, with especially inspired use of mist and stark lighting (kudos to Nicholas Musuraca's sharp black and white cinematography). The sequence with one luckless crew member (an credited Lawrence Tierney!) being crushed to death by a heavy chain stands out as a genuinely terrifying set piece. Moreover, the ship's crew are a colorful and interesting bunch: Edmund Glover contributes a likable turn as easygoing communications officer Jacob 'Sparks' Winslow while Skelton Knaggs's uncanny portrayal of sinister mute Finn leaves quite a strong and lasting impression. Donald Henderson Clarke's concise script makes a valid point about the abuse of authority. Roy Webb's brooding score further enhances the overall eerie mood. Well worth a watch.
Director Mark Robson wrings plenty of nerve-rattling tension from the claustrophobic ship setting and does an ace job of crafting loads of spooky atmosphere, with especially inspired use of mist and stark lighting (kudos to Nicholas Musuraca's sharp black and white cinematography). The sequence with one luckless crew member (an credited Lawrence Tierney!) being crushed to death by a heavy chain stands out as a genuinely terrifying set piece. Moreover, the ship's crew are a colorful and interesting bunch: Edmund Glover contributes a likable turn as easygoing communications officer Jacob 'Sparks' Winslow while Skelton Knaggs's uncanny portrayal of sinister mute Finn leaves quite a strong and lasting impression. Donald Henderson Clarke's concise script makes a valid point about the abuse of authority. Roy Webb's brooding score further enhances the overall eerie mood. Well worth a watch.