There are very few ghost ship movies out there today that are worth two rats poo's. If you like movies that take place on or around derelict ocean liners then this movie is definitely for you! The casting is OK, the script isn't award winning, the acting is mediocre BUT the story is absolutely fantastic! Its the kind of plot that can give you goosebumps, especially the beginning intro that tells the story of the famous liner that vanished without a trace before WW2. If you've read a review that contradicts the start date of WW2 I just want to point out that history recognizes two events that triggered WW2, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident of July 7, 1937 and September 1, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. I guess the movie producers chose 1937. Anyway, the eerie radio mayday from the Queen of Scots, that the characters' fishing boat picks up, helps set the stage for the 'Bermuda Triangle' phenomenon. In the morning the characters discover the radio has shorted out and then an eerie fog sets in and the engine dies. The compass, of course, spins wildly. Then the steam liner slowly appears from the fog.
The outer shots are CG (lets face it, a steamship to film on in real life is kind of hard to find!) but once on-board the deck and interior shots most certainly feel like a gilded age steamship that's floated around for a few decades. If you are like me and you want movies to explore the 'nitty gritty' of a setting, like the boiler room in The Shining mini-series or other mechanical areas in buildings or ships, then you will love this!
The first thing they do whilst on-board the ship is to pass through the empty public spaces and the ballroom before making their way to the bridge. Once there, they try the radio but alas there is no power so mention is made of the 'carbide' batteries that may still hold a charge (not the chemical carbide, but batteries made by Union-Carbide). Still no go, so the decision is made to go to the engine room to get lights going. Long story short, there are amazing shots of the turbine engine room, control panels, boilers, etc. In this movie they get the lights on and the engine room humming!
There are ghosts, but their reason for existing is a little hazy. One of the characters goes cuckoo and starts killing other characters until only two remain. In making their escape they open the fuel valve on the deck and dump it everywhere with the intention of firing a flare to blow up the ship since its full of lost souls, then they jump overboard to a dingy. They think its easy until the ship puts itself at full throttle and comes after them. Pausing for a moment I couldn't help but be like 'holy Toledo the ocean liner is trying to kill them'. The ship gets blown up, sinks, and the duo are rescued. A radio announcer in the end points out that the survivors claim to have come from a fishing boat Blue Jay, but that boat disappeared a few years ago. A little end note that nods to the creepiness of the Bermuda Triangle. Being a supernatural enthusiast and lover of classic ocean liners, this movie is a favorite!
The outer shots are CG (lets face it, a steamship to film on in real life is kind of hard to find!) but once on-board the deck and interior shots most certainly feel like a gilded age steamship that's floated around for a few decades. If you are like me and you want movies to explore the 'nitty gritty' of a setting, like the boiler room in The Shining mini-series or other mechanical areas in buildings or ships, then you will love this!
The first thing they do whilst on-board the ship is to pass through the empty public spaces and the ballroom before making their way to the bridge. Once there, they try the radio but alas there is no power so mention is made of the 'carbide' batteries that may still hold a charge (not the chemical carbide, but batteries made by Union-Carbide). Still no go, so the decision is made to go to the engine room to get lights going. Long story short, there are amazing shots of the turbine engine room, control panels, boilers, etc. In this movie they get the lights on and the engine room humming!
There are ghosts, but their reason for existing is a little hazy. One of the characters goes cuckoo and starts killing other characters until only two remain. In making their escape they open the fuel valve on the deck and dump it everywhere with the intention of firing a flare to blow up the ship since its full of lost souls, then they jump overboard to a dingy. They think its easy until the ship puts itself at full throttle and comes after them. Pausing for a moment I couldn't help but be like 'holy Toledo the ocean liner is trying to kill them'. The ship gets blown up, sinks, and the duo are rescued. A radio announcer in the end points out that the survivors claim to have come from a fishing boat Blue Jay, but that boat disappeared a few years ago. A little end note that nods to the creepiness of the Bermuda Triangle. Being a supernatural enthusiast and lover of classic ocean liners, this movie is a favorite!