Review of And the Ship Sails On (1983) by David F — 01 Feb 2010

Sub-par Fellini is still better than the finest work of many lesser directors. An amazing opening sequence that sets up like an old newsreel unfolds into a sort of 'Grand Hotel' at sea, with the usual Fellini assortment of beauties and grotesques introduced and explained by an Italian speaking Freddie Jones (quite disconcerting).

Some interesting set pieces make it worthwhile (the lovesick rhino suspended in air, the operatic competition in the engine room), but Fellini ends up repeating himself with the big reveal of the ship set and the film crew, hammering home the whole 'life is a stage' metaphor once again.