Talk about growing up too quickly! At seventeen, Manuela (Elsa Martinelli), is already widowed and now a stowaway aboard rickety, tramp freighter, 'Conway Castle', in a determined bid to reach England.
Upon her discovery, steely eyed, hot tempered, hard drinking, bottle smashing captain Trevor Howard pledges to put her ashore along with crew member (not so super) Mario, responsible for smuggling her aboard, at the nearest point, a grim, barely inhabited island. Harsh treatment, but when you are the skipper, you're entitled to go overboard once in a while!
Gradually, Howard's fiery temper is tempered as he reveals a softer, more philosophical side to his character. Becoming increasingly self deprecating and introspective, followed by an outpouring of genuine love.
Life is clearly full of surprises in the Merchant Navy. One day you're the captain of a cargo ship, the next, you've joined The Drifters. 'Manuela' suddenly takes an unexpectedly dramatic turn and unleashes a further sombre, reflective twist before disappearing over the horizon.
Amongst Howard's motley crew are jittery, but strangely remote chaplain, Donald Pleasence and a bearded Warren Mitchell, apparently intent on performing his entire repertoire of accents and dialects.
A lost movie in an ocean of lost movies, but worth salvaging, if you are prepared to dive deep.
Upon her discovery, steely eyed, hot tempered, hard drinking, bottle smashing captain Trevor Howard pledges to put her ashore along with crew member (not so super) Mario, responsible for smuggling her aboard, at the nearest point, a grim, barely inhabited island. Harsh treatment, but when you are the skipper, you're entitled to go overboard once in a while!
Gradually, Howard's fiery temper is tempered as he reveals a softer, more philosophical side to his character. Becoming increasingly self deprecating and introspective, followed by an outpouring of genuine love.
Life is clearly full of surprises in the Merchant Navy. One day you're the captain of a cargo ship, the next, you've joined The Drifters. 'Manuela' suddenly takes an unexpectedly dramatic turn and unleashes a further sombre, reflective twist before disappearing over the horizon.
Amongst Howard's motley crew are jittery, but strangely remote chaplain, Donald Pleasence and a bearded Warren Mitchell, apparently intent on performing his entire repertoire of accents and dialects.
A lost movie in an ocean of lost movies, but worth salvaging, if you are prepared to dive deep.