Search - The Last Voyage on DVD

More Here Than Meets The Eye...

Robert I. Hedges | 12/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Disaster movies from this era are, in general, fairly forgettable, but "The Last Voyage" rises above the norm in several ways. The stars of this film are well cast with Robert Stack in fine form as the heroic husband out to save his wife, George Sanders excelling as Captain Robert Adams, and Dorothy Malone doing a generally good (though occasionally over the top) job as the imperiled heroine. Stack and Malone had worked together before, and have an excellent onscreen chemistry. While football star turned actor Woody Strode does an excellent job as a selfless crewman, the downside to the casting was Tammy Marihugh who played the daughter of Stack and Malone, and who is one of the most shrill and annoying child actors in memory. I gave this film four stars, and a good part of the reason it didn't get five was due to that one piece of casting.

The real star of the film, of course, was the "S.S. Claridon" which sank due to a fire, boiler explosion, and aged bulkheads. Most movies from the 1960s have poor special effects, but "The Last Voyage" is different because there are no real special effects here. The actual star of the film turns out to be no other than the beautiful art deco French Line ship, the "Ile de France," a ship more famous than most people realize. The "Ile de France" was the first ocean liner completed after world war one, and served through many years of service on the Atlantic (including as a troop transport during world war two.) Her most famous accomplishment, though, was coming to the aid of the "Andrea Doria" which sank in 1956: "Ile de France" was key to the rescue operation, but was retired and this film was made just four years later.

The film was shot onboard the ship, which is why the sets look so realistic and why the sinking is so realistic (she was actually sunk for the film.) While the plot itself is a bit contrived (really, an acetylene delivery by rowboat?) the story is generally well done and the shots of the ship are magnificent, although the mechanics of the funnel collapse might be questioned by marine architects.

I recommend the film as an above average suspense drama, and especially for the beautiful shots of a magnificent liner in her final days."

Fairly Gripping Movie

Westley | Stuck in my head | 11/23/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"THE LAST VOYAGE tells of a sinking cruise liner and the panic of the crew and passengers. Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone star as a happy couple trapped aboard the sinking ship; they co-starred in "Written on the Wind" 4 years earlier and received Oscar nominations (Dorothy received the best supporting actress Oscar). Their work here is far less impressive, but they acquit themselves admirably with the material. Unfortunately, their young daughter in the movie (Tammy Marihugh) gives one of the shrillest child performances ever. The reasons for the ship sinking are somewhat murky and unexciting (a small fire?). Although some suspense is generated subsequently, the plot and characters are rather hackneyed. Predictably, the Captain under-estimates the danger and his crew argue with him, and so forth.On the plus side, the special effects are pretty impressive for the time. The producers leased the S.S. Ile de France, which was a famous French cruise ship that was being de-commissioned. Thus, they were able to partially sink the ship, and the results are some fairly realistic looking scenes, especially toward the end. Overall, this film is an above-average 1960s film that compares favorably with similar films of the period, such as the 1953 version of Titanic."

We've got the acetelyne tank!!

Crooner | 08/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is one of the least known and underrated disaster films of all time. I watched this for the first time back when I was 8 on the matinee movie. I was sick at home with the flu and was so glad I didnt have to watch soaps! Yeccchh! When I saw this on AMC not too long ago I was amazed to see how the movie has held up all these years. The casting is great- first rate. George Sanders plays a solid captain and uses just the right dramatic pauses at the right time. Edmund O'Brien (who is probably the greatest character actor of all time) is the blustery and defiant chief who has his fair share of run-ins with the captain. All the other casting is great as well and the film builds in suspense throughout. I especially like how the movie draws the viewer in immediatly with the opening shot of the captain holding a note which simply says "fire in the engine rooom." This is a fast paced and well crafted movie that is a delight to any disaster film buff. I especially like the scenes when the ships officers are peppering the captain with questions and you can see the captain slowly losing his confidence in his command (and in his ship). Highly recommended."

Better than you think!

F. Fernow | 05/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a well-written and tightly crafted little film. It never pretends to be more than it is about. The film gets right to the dilemma with nearly the opening shot. There are very few special effects as the disaster is real. The real ship is really on fire! No need for CGI smoke and mirrors. George Sanders has a believable and restrained turn as the beleagured captain. Robert Stack is his usual no nonsense good guy. Woody Strode, a good underrated actor, also gives his usual solid bit part.
What I liked most is the look of the film. Its not fake. The action is real because they really did burn the ship. This adds to the excitement and tension. This deserves to be on DVD."