A direct line from"Stagecoach" to "Lifeboat" to "Big Brother"...

Rating: 9/10 (2 May 2012)

Shove a disparate group of people together in a small space and sit back and watch.It still works today as it did when Ford and Hitchcock made their earlier films. "Lifeboat" is a microcosm of the free world's struggle against Nazism and during its course the twisted allure of that philosophy is displayed. We also see the morally corrupting aspect of war as the survivors turn on the Nazi U - Boat captain who has in fact very cleverly ( a bit like Capt Bligh) guided them through treacherous and uncharted seas to a German supply ship where he expects to be rescued and they expect to be put in a Concentraion Camp.They beat him to death with any implement that comes to hand. However,civilised behaviour is restored when they rescue a German crewman from the ship and spare his life after disarming him. A special word about Miss Tallulah Bankhead.Regarded as a dilettante at best,more often as a free - spirited maverick who dished the dirt in Harlem's jazz joints - as they used to say,and lived on controversial publicity,she was.when given the chance,a fine performer.Here she is splendidly disdainful,cynical but brave and the strongest character in the film. Not for another 13 years did another actress - Miss Rita Hayworth - have so effective a femme fatale mystery woman role (in "Fire down below). This is a taut,tight piece of work which stands up with the director's best.Unhesitatingly recommended.