PASSAGE HOME

UK, 1955, 102 minutes, Black and white.
Peter Finch, Anthony Steel, Diane Cilento, Cyril Cusack, Geoffrey Keen, Hugh Griffith, Duncan Lamont, Bryan Forbes, Gordon Jackson, Michael Craig.
Directed by Roy Baker.

Passage Home is a grim British melodrama of the mid?'50s. Set on a ship, it focuses on a voyage from South America to England. The focus is on the Captain, played with morbid relish by Peter Finch. It is the picture of the loner who becomes infatuated and breaks down. Anthony Steel is the conventional hero. Diane Cilento is the sign of contradiction for the Captain. (Her name in the film is Ruth. Advertising said 'She was Ruth. He was ruthless.') The film captures the atmosphere of life on the small boat, the manic driving of the crew by the Captain, the treatment of the crew. There is interesting supporting work from Geoffrey Keen as the sympathetic Bosun and Cyril Cusack as an insinuating steward. Michael Craig is a trouble maker.

The film is the work of the Boulting Brothers who made a wide range of films in Britain from the '40s to the '70s.

1. Interest? Entertainment value? A story of the sea? Action drama? Melodrama? The ship as the microcosm ? a variation an the ship of fools theme?

2. A British film: cast, locations, black and white photography, music, special effects ? especially for the voyage, storms? Authentic atmosphere?

3. The British and the sea, the tradition in the navy, British sailors and their coping with isolation? Resources? The '30s and the atmosphere of the era? As seen in retrospect?

4. The framework of the Captain receiving recognition, his memories ?grim? The ending with his meeting the Vospers?

5. The Captain as the focus of the film? The initial tribute? His ship, his abilities as captain? The South American route? Intense, principles? The cattle? Deals? His taking Ruth on board? A tough man, disliked, stickler for rules? The problem of the potatoes and its consequences? The steward and his insinuating presence? Sneering at the Captain? Ike and his loyalty to the men and to the Captain? The Chief, the mates? Their contacts with the Captain, dining with him? His ability in running the ship? His courtesy towards Ruth, liking her, the: plan for his marrying her, worked out beforehand without reference to her, the proposal? Her refusal and its effect on him, the attack, his humiliation, drinking? The crew and Ruth trying to get him on his feet? Ike's death and his conduct of the funeral even though drunk? The storm? The men taking control? Growing more isolated? A portrait of a disintegrating loner?

6. Ruth and her story: governess, going onboard, her place on the shop,; the men and their reactions to her? Her presence a catalyst for change? Her femininity, the effect on the men? The steward and his talk, suggestions? Vosper as the upright man falling in love with her? The Captain and his courtesy, proposal, her repelling him, being attacked? Her concern for Ike? Her help to get the Captain to the funeral? The ending with Vosper?

7. Vosper as hero, the upright officer, his conduct with the Captain, his falling in love with Ruth? His clashes with the Captain? Marriage?

8. Ike and his work as Bosun, illness, ulcer? A good man? The issue of the potatoes? The coat? The fights? His death? The funeral? The memory of his wife and children? Shorty and his help, the umbrella?

9. The mates, their behaviour, ambitions, criticism of the Captain, coping during the storm? The management of the ship ? and the Captain, even though under the influence, directing the ship and being daring?

10. The sailors and their toughness, relationship with Ike, rebellion about the potatoes, hatred for: the Captain? Burton and his making trouble, the fight? Ike covering for him?

11. The steward and his manner, presence, insinuating, continually, gossiping, laughing at the Captain and being caught? The end?

12. Chief and the running of the engines, the amount of coal necessary for the voyage, the bluffs?

13. The impact of the sea, the ship on the sea, the passage and the victims of the sea?

14. Isolation, isolated men, the presence of a woman? The old ship, tensions? The microcosm of human nature?