Classic Film Guide

Wreck of the Mary Deare, The (1959) - full review!

Directed by Michael Anderson (Around the World in 80 Days (1956)) with a screenplay by Eric Ambler (The Cruel Sea (1953)) that was based on the Hammond Innes novel, this better than average thriller drama (which was originally considered by Alfred Hitchcock, before he and Ernest Lehman decided to do North By Northwest (1959) instead) is notable for its special effects, some action sequences, and a cast that includes: Gary Cooper, Charlton Heston, Michael Redgrave as Mr. Nyland, Cecil Parker, Richard Harris, and Ben Wright (among others). The mystery of the titled event is compelling enough to hold one's interest throughout, despite a slow start.

The titled ship with Hong Kong registry is discovered, seemingly abandoned and adrift in the English channel, by partners John Sands (Heston) and Mike Duncan (Wright) in their salvage boat, the Sea Witch. When Sands boards the Mary Deare during the perilous conditions, a storm at sea, he discovers its first mate come captain Gideon Patch (Cooper) aboard, alone. Grimy and bleeding from a prior blow to the head, Patch is acting strangely and mysteriously, even somewhat crazy, but Sands is unable to re-board his boat per the high winds and rain. In fact, he has to be rescued; Patch pulls him back onboard the Deare. Subsequently, Patch grounds the ship on some rocks and, the next day in calm water, the two make their way towards shore and are picked up by rescue personnel. For reasons of his own which he won't explain, Patch asks Sands to go along with his story that the Deare was lost at sea. Because the seaman had saved his life, Sands agrees though he later questions his own decision, as does his partner Mike. Sands promises to "tell all" during the requisite inquiry.

Prior to the inquiry, Sands learns that Patch has a reputation for losing ships. He also witnesses a violent exchange between Patch and Higgins (Harris), formerly the Deare’s second mate. Their stories don't gibe with regards to the events that led to the original captain's demise and the order to abandon ship, which experienced two fires and an explosion before that order. Patch calls on the daughter of the now dead captain, Janet Taggart (Virginia McKenna), and learns what he needs to know. During the inquiry, Patch is grilled by Sir Wilfred (Emlyn Williams) before the board and its chairman (Parker). Patch's competency and motives are questioned, especially in light of a previous incident which has put his license in jeopardy. As an American unfamiliar with the British courts system, Patch struggles to state "the whole truth" including his theory that the owners of the Deare (e.g. Peter Illing, represented by Alexander Knox's character) wanted to sink their own ship for the insurance money because the valuable cargo of aircraft engines had already been offloaded in a Far East port. However, an aerial surveyor has discovered that the ship is aground on some rocks and the inquiry is dissolved.

In desperation, Patch finally comes clean to Sands and his partner about what transpired on the Mary Deare and they give him a chance to prove his supposition that the ship's cargo hold is empty. Patch and Sands don scuba gear and, that night, Mike brings them within swimming distance of the Deare, which is now being readied to float by another salvage company. Despite the damning inquiry, Janet told Patch that Higgins would be aboard the ship, after she'd learned that one man could sink her. What follows is another special effects-action sequence which involves Patch-Sands trying to locate the missing airplane parts and Higgins et al trying to stop them. Can you guess how it all comes out?

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