Hitchcock, the master of single-set suspense

Rating: 6/10 (27 February 2011)

The small-scale LIFEBOAT – with the entire movie taking place on the titular vessel – was never going to be one of the Hitchcock greats. Nevertheless, a pacey script means that it rarely sinks into the doldrums, instead remaining an engaging little movie. I've always enjoyed the tension to be had from one-set dramas and this one sees Hitchcock putting his sea-bound setting to fine use.
The story is pretty straightforward: a disparate group of survivors climb aboard a lifeboat after their ship is sunk in the Atlantic by a German U-boat. Soon enough, they are joined by one of the Germans and soon conflict breaks out as they argue over what's best to do with him. Some think they should kill the German, others think he should be allowed to lead them – and watching the drama play out is a lot of fun.
There weren't any major names in the cast in this one for me, and the top-lined Tallulah Bankhead is a bit of an aloof and icy character, but nobody puts a foot wrong as the drama unfolds. Broken limbs, seasickness, impromptu surgery, navigation, lack of food and water, madness, despair, stormy weather and sunstroke are just a few of the things our group has to contend with as the film goes on. The film also boasts a stronger role than usual for the black cast member, Canada Lee, who plays my favourite character, Joe: tough, brave and an underrated addition to the ship's "crew".