Review of Lifeboat (1944) by Glenn C — 26 Apr 2012

If you've never seen a Hitchcock film then Lifeboat is probably not a good place to start. It's the most unique of all his films but it's unlike any of his others. It bares little resemblance to the Hitchcockian style most people know, aside from a few distinct camera angles and of course the usual cameo appearance.

... Having said that, its a great film. The entire movie takes place on a lifeboat lost at sea and the survivors of a submarine sunken by a German U-Boat must deal with the ever growing isolation and desperation.

Added to the situation is a German officer who climbs aboard. The film is dialogue from start to finish and it's dramatic arch is complex. Relations and attitudes fluctuate and tension mounts. I think it's a daring film for it's time with some really serious themes, particularly a woman who becomes delusional with her dead baby on board.

Its also obviously a product of it's time with references they just couldn't get away with these days. I couldn't help but chuckle when they nicknamed the black guy "Charcoal".