badajoz-1 Review of The Riddle of the Sands

The Riddle of the Sands (1979)

Different in pace, but never quite makes itself a thriller

[5/10 · 12 November 2009]

Have not read the novel about two Brits trying to uncover Imperial German skullduggery in 1901 around the Wadden Sea and Frisian islands in NW Germany, so cannot comment whether it captures its essence. What you get is a slow paced, tribute to messing about in small boats, kind of detective tale that does not really convince. Some holes here and there, some rush at exposition at vital moments, prevent the piece from fully working. There's a lot of good humour between York and McCorkindale as two ill assorted Oxford men, but when the action hots up, the film is a little unconvincing and a trifle rushed. While Hitler from Indy and the Last Crusade appears as a German spy at the turn of the century - yes, the Germans are a bit clichéd in portrayal yet again. A pity we do not find out why Dollman is a traitor! The film needed perhaps a Hitchcock to make it a classic like '39 Steps' which is set very similarly in theme and time. Must read the book or get to see the German TV version - German actors playing Edwardian Brits!!!!