Leofwine_draca This low budget chiller is a film easy to pass over, mainly because of the generic nature of the title (there are many ghost ship films in existence, right up to the present day). It's only a minor film, and not the best for any of the talent involved, but it is a solid, effective little movie that sets out to do what it wants to do: create an atmospheric mystery-cum-chiller on a non-existent budget, relying on acting, dialogue, characters, and story rather than special effects. Indeed, the spirit 'manifestations' are limited to a single scene of a cigar-chomping apparition so for those expecting something like POLTERGEIST, think again.There's just something about British horror films of the mid century that give them the edge over their American counterparts. They're always genteel, and quite classy despite the silliness of some of the story lines. Vernon Sewell, a noted horror director, directs this well-handled outing. There's no action so to speak of, but the film does contain some admirable acting, an excellent flashback told by a medium of a love triangle gone horribly wrong, lots of tension, a good plot twist, and fine, crisp black and white camera-work.Of the stars, there are bit players who would later go on to find fame and success (Joss Ackland and Ian Carmichael); a British star, Dermot Walsh, with a dodgy American accent; a brief turn for Sewell's real-life wife, Joan Carol; an excellent performance from TV's QUATERMASS, John Robinson, as a wronged captain; a kooky turn from Hugh Burden, who later found success in television; and of course, a starring turn from lovely Hammer starlet Hazel Court. Court takes centre stage for much of the production, but I found her natural beauty – later used to great effect in Gothic horror – toned down and hidden away, unfortunately.

writtenbymkm-583-902097 I can't believe nobody questioned a huge plot hole in this movie. I'll omit the story, since other reviewers have mostly explained it, but we are to believe that three people went out on a boat -- SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT -- and one of them murdered the other two and hid their bodies on the boat... repeat, on the boat, and then, later, when the boat is found, the bodies are NOT found. It's even dumber than that, because at one point the hero buys the boat and has it completely repaired from stem to stern, and, again, no bodies are found. Not even a couple of skeletons. This is incredible. I also didn't believe for a minute that the murderer would have returned to the boat at the very end -- ANOTHER SPOILER ALERT -- and killed himself just because some weird so-called "medium" went into a "trance" and supposedly revealed that he had murdered the other two people, why didn't he just head for the hills? What court of law would've allowed the testimony of a "medium" as the only proof, especially with no bodies? If I slept through essential parts of this movie and missed things that would explain all this, feel free to yell at me and set me straight!

gordonl56 Dermot Walsh and Hazel Court decide to buy a 40 year old yacht. The salesman tries to talk them out of the purchase. He tells them a tale of how the locals believe the ship to be haunted. They get a laugh out of the story and buy the ship anyway. The two restore the boat and have a big party to celebrate. They take the yacht out for a short cruise. When they return to port, the engine room man swears he has seen a ghost and quits. The next engineer also quits after seeing the same ghost. Somewhat at a loss at what to do they call in a medium. They have a séance and the medium explains the reason for the haunting. The previous owner had shot and killed his wife and lover. He had then hid the bodies below the decks next to the outside hull. A somewhat effective thriller that starts out and finishes well. The middle does drag a bit, but for a low budget film it passes the time well enough. Always nice to Hazel Court in any sort of film.

MARIO GAUCI This British low-budgeter does not have a good reputation within its subgenre – mainly because it is "singularly unfrightening", as one critic had remarked about SON OF FRANKENSTEIN (1939) but also since, as often happens, the manifestations prove to be just a hoax! It is harmless enough under the circumstances, but does take its time to get going (despite running only 71 minutes), eventually generating some interest during the second half with the parapsychology elements, the ghost's backstory (he is played by John Robinson – Professor Bernard Quatermass in the TV serial "Quatermass II" [1955]) and the twist ending. Hazel Court makes for a pretty and likable leading lady; however, Ian Carmichael – soon to portray the naïve hero of many a classic Boulting Bros. satire – has an extended and unfunny bit as a drunk at a party held on the titular vessel. Although, personally, I did not recognize any of them, the cast also includes Joss (1970's THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD) Ackland, Patricia (1958's THE FLY) Owens and Melissa (1958's HORROR OF Dracula) Stribling in bit parts.