Das Narrenschiff (1965)

Das Narrenschiff: Directed by Stanley Kramer. With Vivien Leigh, Simone Signoret, José Ferrer, Lee Marvin. A varied group of passengers boarding a ship bound for pre-WWII Germany represents a microcosm of early 1930s society.

“A grim long voyage with an earnest script by the remarkable Abby Mann and a respectful Stanley Kramer at the helm. Assorted desperate characters makes the sailing a gripping one. When the extraordinary Simone Signoret, Oskar Werner and Vivien Leigh are on, weu0026#39;re there with them one hundred per cent. Simone Signoretu0026#39;s addicted Countess and Vivien Leighu0026#39;s bitter and disillusioned middle age Southern woman touch and dominate the highest, most powerful moments. Their stories have an immediate resonance and their faces, wonderful, beautiful faces, carry a truth that is as pungent as it is undeniable. Painful yes, very painful but, as it happens with the best kind of drama, entertaining, compelling, cinematic. Jose Ferreru0026#39;s German bore, George Segal and Elizabeth Ashley and even the wonderful Michael Dunn will make you sea sick at times but I will recommend it nonetheless just to admire and enjoy Vivien Leighu0026#39;s Charleston or Simone Signoret looking at Oskar Werner with a mixture of love, lust, compassion and need. For collectors of imperfect gems.”