The movie in question is the 1979 British movie entitled "The Riddle of the Sands". Based loosely on a novel, written in 1901 by Erskine Childers (who was later executed by the British during the Irish Revolt). I read the novel years before the film and highly recommend that you do the same. Like most cases, the original book beats the movie hands down for suspense. After all for 1901 this must be if not the first spy thriller, among the first. A gripping tale of sailing, espionage and flirtation. But don't take my word for it. Get your hands on a copy of the book or if you're a slow reader then view the film itself; the movie features Michael York in the lead role:
Tillerman: you can wire me the huge prize. I'm confident that this is the winning entry.
LOL. Thanks for your entry. This movie (I think they are called now) does seem to be many people's first choice. I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but based on all these recommendations I have splurged 99 cents and downloaded the book to my Kindle to read on my upcoming sailing vacation.
ReplyDeleteKindle-Schmidle, give me a book that I can hold in my hands. Good enough for Gutenberg...
ReplyDelete"Cinema" comes to mind, as in "Let's pop down to the Bijou Cinema and catch that new Hitchcock flick. Something to do with the Bates Motel."
ReplyDeleteChilders was not executed by the British. He was a member of the Irish delegation that negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921 but refused to sign and embraced the Republican side in the subsequent civil war. He was captured and executed by forces of the Irish Free State.
ReplyDeletePeter: Thanks for the correction. A faulty recollection of a twisted tale is a terrible thing. I remembered that Childers was executed but totally botched who did it. Be that as it may, the book is a great read and the movie, while depending heavily upon a prior reading of the book, isn't half bad. Both the book and movie do a good job in portraying the quirky personality of Davies. The book gives a better favor of Davies' ability to navigate over the shallow sands (in the dark and fog) and also the tension experienced by Davies and his friend Carruthers while snooping amongst the Germans in those years before WW I.
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice!
ReplyDeleteI might gently suggest Master and Commander, based on the Patrick O'Brian series...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311113/
Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check it out. You may want to wander over to Tillerman's Proper Course blogspot and entry that in his contest.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the Hornblower series ... PS That's Jenny Agutter in your clip.
ReplyDeleteJessica 6.
ReplyDelete