“Lifeboat” (Movie Review-1/13/44)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 1/13/44 | Bosley Crowther

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles and the occasional radio broadcast delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

“Lifeboat” clips

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Netflix has “Lifeboat” on DVD.

Bosley Crowther’s only problem with the movie is that it could be used by the Nazis, with only minor editing, as a “whiplash against the ‘decadent democracies.’” To do that the Germans would have to explain how a U-boat could have been sunk by her prey. They might not want to raise that topic when the U-boats have been pretty much defeated in the Atlantic. I believe by 1944 the allies were sinking more submarines than the submarines were sinking merchant ships.

Otherwise Crowther has high praise for a “trenchant and blistering symbolization of the world and its woes today,” as he describes this adaptation of a story by John Steinbeck. Mrs. Homer and I must be slow on the uptake, because we saw it as a tediously grim affair. The tedium might be more the responsibility of Mr. Steinbeck than Mr. Hitchcock. 2 ½ Stars for “Lifeboat” – HJS.

[Tainan]

Man...they sure could write great movie advertising copy back then!

[Sherman Logan]

Kind of silly criticism in the review, I thought.

Who would be more likely to respond with a plan of how to survive?

Random passengers and low-ranking crew members? Or the commander of a U-boat?

I’m no fan of the Nazis, but they did’t put idiots or cowards in charge of the ships that were their only real chance of winning the war.

[GeronL]

I remember that movie. It was well-done.

[colorado tanker]

There was a lot of similar criticism, that the Nazi was glorified, which led to a limited release and poor box office.

Hitchcock responded twofold. He said he always makes his villains strong, which makes the eventual triumph of good more satisfying. And, he said the film is a metaphor, that the democracies should squabble less and unit to defeat the Nazis.

[GeronL]

I think Hitchcock had the right idea in that case

[GeronL]

I wonder if someone could find “Ravaged Earth” online these days

[colorado tanker]

Yep, he was pretty fair at making movies. :-))

[Yosemitest]

I say this, "I BELIEVE!"