Thrilling and suspenseful adventure based on Erskine Childer's fiction , long a favorite project of Michael Powell , and is deemed the prototype spy-thriller . In 1901 a British yachtsman named Arthur (Simon MacCorkindale) stumbles onto what seems to be a secret plan to carry out a terrible invasion and summons his Oxford chum named Charles (Michael York) working for Secret Service to help him out . Both of whom manoeuvre around the north Sea German coastline , as they navigate the whole eerie desolation of risked seas and nearly beaches . In these shifting sands, men can disappear without a trace and their secrets with them . The eccentric Englishmen set out to thwart this twisted plot , but must outwit the cream of the German Navy led by the same Kaiser William (Wolf Kahler) .
Nice rendition about one of the greatest adventure classics of English novel set in the early years of the 20th Century that captures enjoyable characterizations and subtleties of atmospheres . It focuses an intriguing premise upon a German scheme to invade the east coast of England in a flotilla of specially designed barges and conveys us a real sense of wonder including wrecks , storms , betrayal and demonic dangers . This sweeping movie displays adventures , thrills , intrigue , a love story , and moving confrontation with a terrific climax final for a spectacular sea chase . However this interesting story never takes off as it should despite of pomp and circumstance showed and the flick results to be justly stiff and too slow to be really effective . Phenomenal main cast as Michael York , Simon MacCorkindale, Jenny Agutter and fine support actors as Alan Badel and Wolf Kahler as feared Kaiser Wilhelm himself . Emotive and sensational musical score by Howard Blake . Wonderful cinematography in Panavion and Technicolor by Christopher Challis who reflects marvelously authenticity of locations rather than a tank studio . This Rank production is faithful enough , being well directed by Tony Maylan in his first and best film , despite of various difficulties involved . Maylan is a little prolific filmmaker expert on Thriller genre as ¨Journal of a contract killer¨ , ¨Split second¨ , ¨Phoenix Blue¨ and Horror as ¨The burning¨ . This is an overwhelming tale with suspense , adventure , villainy , romance and heroism in the grandeur of big screen although in television set is lost its splendor .
Nice rendition about one of the greatest adventure classics of English novel set in the early years of the 20th Century that captures enjoyable characterizations and subtleties of atmospheres . It focuses an intriguing premise upon a German scheme to invade the east coast of England in a flotilla of specially designed barges and conveys us a real sense of wonder including wrecks , storms , betrayal and demonic dangers . This sweeping movie displays adventures , thrills , intrigue , a love story , and moving confrontation with a terrific climax final for a spectacular sea chase . However this interesting story never takes off as it should despite of pomp and circumstance showed and the flick results to be justly stiff and too slow to be really effective . Phenomenal main cast as Michael York , Simon MacCorkindale, Jenny Agutter and fine support actors as Alan Badel and Wolf Kahler as feared Kaiser Wilhelm himself . Emotive and sensational musical score by Howard Blake . Wonderful cinematography in Panavion and Technicolor by Christopher Challis who reflects marvelously authenticity of locations rather than a tank studio . This Rank production is faithful enough , being well directed by Tony Maylan in his first and best film , despite of various difficulties involved . Maylan is a little prolific filmmaker expert on Thriller genre as ¨Journal of a contract killer¨ , ¨Split second¨ , ¨Phoenix Blue¨ and Horror as ¨The burning¨ . This is an overwhelming tale with suspense , adventure , villainy , romance and heroism in the grandeur of big screen although in television set is lost its splendor .