The original book "The Off Islanders" is pretty lame. The story reads like a "MASH" sequel book; I had hoped that it would be more like "Rally Round the Flag, Boys"; but it was rather dull. The screen writers had a chance to make it more entertaining and Alan Arkin as Rozanov and his conversations with "Whitaker Walt" are a scream. The island regulars including Brian Keith and Jonathan Winters are also a real hoot. There are precious few people on Martha's Vineyard speaking in the traditional New England accent and John Phillip Law is not very believable as a soviet sailor. Theodore Bikel is not used enough to really let the audience enjoy his presence. Watch for "Jody" from Family Affair dangling from the side of a church steeple.