Close-in Drama

Rating: Null/10 (29 September 2013)

No need to recap the plot.
As a commentary on WWII and Nazis, the film is dated; as an allegory on democratic individualism, the movie's still relevant. The survivors, excepting Nazi Slezak, represent a cross-section of American society, from the upper-class Bankhead to the working class Bendix, including black man Lee, and by innuendo, communist Hodiak. How these representative types thrown together manage to coordinate under lifeboat conditions drives the storyline.
For example, note how prosperous businessman Hull assumes command without democratic procedure. Of course, there does need to be a division of duties so what needs to get done gets done. Moreover, he would be the logical choice since he heads factories, but he does not put it to a vote. Instead, he simply assumes the right. However, after a number of difficulties, Hodiak takes command by democratic consent, and I wonder if this too implies a political judgement on writer Steinbeck's part. In addition are the inevitable complications among the survivors including budding romances and class rivalries.
However, once Nazi Slezak is taken aboard, moral questions arise about what to do with an enemy captain. Being a Nazi during wartime means, of course, that Slezak can't be trusted, and indeed he has a number of tricks up his sleeve. But being the only sailor aboard, his seamanship has to be weighed against his politics. This sets up an interesting dilemma that the survivors must ponder. Only Hodiak senses the danger of putting him in charge of the boat's course. And again I wonder if this is Steinbeck's commentary on pre-war American politics when Americans tended to be apathetic about the Third Reich menace. However, that may be, the resolution remains a violent stunner.
Despite 90-minutes of a confined stage, Hitch makes things interesting with his targeted close-ups and other visual ploys. The acting too is first-rate, and I'm particularly impressed by Bankhead. Her headstrong personality is riveting. Too bad she didn't make more movies, her preference apparently being the stage. Anyway, the movie has dated in many ways, but still poses the question of how to coordinate in extreme conditions among a diverse group of people. It's not front-rank Hitchcock, but remains worthwhile for that reason.