Review of Lifeboat (1944) by Hatem A — 25 Jul 2013

3.5/4.0.

A daring movie-making experiment (even by today's standards), Hitchcock's "Lifeboat" takes place entirely on a tiny boat in the Atlantic that has eight American and British survivors of a ship torpedoed by a Nazi U-boat. Their situation is complicated when they pick-up German survivor Willy (Walter Slezak who is great here adding an eerie feel to a seemingly nice character). Notable for its choice of the most unusual central character - pampered female American writer/photographer Constance Porter (played with perfect grace and nuance by Tallulah Bankhead). A great showcase of the growing desperation of the eclectic bunch as the days go by and how their suspicions fluctuate over their seemingly likeable German boat-mate. Only flaw is that not all characters are equally compelling/developed. Nominated for 3 Oscars: Director; Writing, Original Story; and Cinematography.