In my journey around McGoohan one of the first unseen movies of his that I got hold of was Three Sovereigns for Sarah. That was also made by Philip Leacock. High Tide at Noon was a much earlier film but it was remarkable that the two movies shared an apparent characteristic. That is, they both spend their first two thirds building carefully-drawn characters and then rush those people through the final third with episodic story-lines that cover years of time.
Betta St John, as Joanna, is evidently returning to an island after many years. Her old house is decrepit but a still-bonging clock gives her a shock and starts her reminiscence:
She is 17 and returning to her beloved island home after schooling 'on the mainland'. We meet the main narrative protagonists. The Brecks are a ne'er-do-well family. Joanna is scion of the historic owners of the island, the Mackenzies. She is also torn between three lovers. There is the bad boy, Simon Breck, played by McGoohan. There is Nils Sorenson, the good boy, played by Michael Craig. Joanna sees Nils as a brother but Simon excites her emerging female sexuality. Simon does have a passion for her but oversteps the mark in his physical demands, destroying any chance he may have had of gaining her love, whilst simultaneously alienating Nils as well.
Into their lives comes Alec Douglas, played by William Sylvester. He quotes some poetry to Joanna and she's in love. Sadly, Alec turns out to be a gambler and over the next three years is fleeced by Simon at the card table. He ends up owing $600, which, in 1957 Nova Scotia was big bucks.
Nils and the rest of the islanders keep busy by fleecing the seas around the island and soon Alec isn't the only one who is facing insolvency. The lobsters have run out. The islanders may have to follow.
Old Man Mackenzie (Alexander Knox) is something of a tough old egg, softened by his wife, Flora Robson. He has had a falling-out with his eldest son, played by Patrick Allen, who married in secret after getting his girl in the 'family way' (1957 - remember!).
Joanna's husband finally realises he is wasting his life and her love, so turns over a new leaf. Sadly, almost simultaneously he turns over his boat and drowns. Another Mackenzie brother, played by Peter Arne, appears to have caused this by getting everyone drunk and after the funeral he leaves both island and regrets. This son is the first of the patriarchal family to leave. Soon the others are to go too.
Simon isn't too bothered about the lobsters. After waiting a decent period he heads for the widow-woman. Making plain that he knows what she needs and that he's the man to give it to her, he is annoyed when Joanna refuses to take his bait. Joanna runs away from his advances and realising the insult to her, Nils furiously heads to the Breck cabin to avenge her honour. It is at this point that the first 'hollow note' is struck by the movie. Simon flees the island in terror, never to be seen again.
After this the film fragments rapidly. Clearly epic story lines like these family sagas can quickly become monumental. This one becomes a fallen monument. Nils is rejected by Joanna one more time and leaves the island without even saying goodbye, although he does leave a note. Soon the lobster-free zone is empty, even old-man Mackenzie is forced out. Like the inhabitants of Easter Island these people have consumed their resources and exhausted their potential. A Global Warning for us all...... should anyone be listening.
This movie was entered into the 1957 Cannes Festival. Patrick McGoohan took a trip there and met Jean Cocteau, which must have been nice for him. And Patrick...... ;-)
Oh, and at the end, like emerging humans after a Nuclear War, Joanna, back in the present day, spots Nils on the beach.
"The Lobsters are Back" smiles Nils as he hugs his life-long love.
9 out of 9 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
