A tense spy thriller, set at sea during World War Two. Marlon Brando is a saboteur sent to steer a vital cargo of rubber into Allied hands, while at the same time preventing the captain (Yul Brynner) from scuttling the ship. For Brynner, it was the best role he'd had in years. With plenty to get his teeth into - he plays an anti-Nazi German who takes to drink when he hears of his once-gentle son sinking a hospital ship - and no worries about his dialogue, he's a more relaxed and therefore more effective actor. Bernhard Wicki directs always to a purpose, and keeps the high tension smouldering in a film that I fancy will have stood the test of time better than most - despite the cumbersome title.


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