Customer Reviews

Wreck of the Mary Deare [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'd like to add my voice to that of the others who are hoping for a widescreen DVD release of this excellent film. It was available that way some years ago on laserdisc and it looked great. Heston, Cooper and Harris work extremely well together; the model work is better than average for its time; the tank shots feature some of the most convincing water/storm effects ever put on film. The original book was a best-seller when it came out and this film version does a generally excellent job of capturing its essence (am I the only person to detect a certain similarity between it and Morgan Robertson's turn-of-the-last-century novel "Futility"?). In view of all the unbelievable *junk* coming out on DVD right now, there's simply no reason for "Mary Deere" to remain buried in the vaults.

This is a terrific sea saga, containing a remarkably intense and multi-layered performance from Gary Cooper. He plays a ship's captain accused of destroying a freighter in order to save his career. There's action, suspense, and a nasty little mystery, too boot. Great Metrocolor, wide screen photography, and therein lies the problem. This video is pan-and-scan. DO NOT PURCHASE IT! Wait for it to show up on Turner Classics in its original wide screen format. When is MGM/UA going to wake up and release these films in letterbox and on DVD?

By 1959, Gary Cooper knew he was dying of cancer, but he didn't stop making movies that are a pleasure to watch. This film is one of them. He teams up well with Charlton Heston, the youthful salvage boat operator, as they struggle to find the truth behind the wreck. Watch, to discover that truth. It's a "keeper".

This is fine film with a very strong cast, excellent performances, and an interesting plot -- yet it has failed to establish itself as a genuine classic. Why is that?
The plot: Running at night in a storm, a small salvage craft narrowly avoids a collision with a freighter without lights. It appears the freighter is a derelict. Hoisting himself on board with great difficulty, the salvage boat captain (Charlton Heston) is elated to find what seems to be a great salvage prospect. His hopes soon turn to disappointment when he comes upon the half-crazed captain (Gary Cooper). The captain explains that he is the only one left aboard. The treacherous crew disabled the ship, then abandoned her ... thinking the captain dead and the ship in a sinking condition. Yet one suspects the captain is holding something back. This suspicion is increased when it becomes clear the captain intends to run the ship upon a reef. Partly by threats and partly by intimidation, the freighter captain succeeds in obtaining the cooperation of the salvage captain. The ship is successfully beached, and the two take to the remaining lifeboat. They are spotted by a plane and picked up by a rescue boat.
The second part of the film is concerned with the inquest into the "sinking." Because the freighter captain is not forthright in his testimony, the real criminals almost get away with it. Ultimately all turns out well, and justice is served. But what is the reason for the captain's evasiveness?... ah, I must leave some mystery!
Analysis: The first part of the film is a fine sea story in the tradition of Conrad. The second part drags. Perhaps this is the reason the film failed to achieve classic status. Furthermore, I am not sure one can blame the director; the flaw may go back to the novel by Innes (on which this film is based): there just doesn't seem to be enough justification for the captain's bizarre action.
That the film has not received the acclaim it deserves is especially sad in view of the tremendous performances by Heston and Cooper (as well as others). Heston, in particular, manages to portray a sensitive character ... unlike the wooden macho figures of his later films.

WRECK OF THE MARY DEARE is a very under-rated movie. Its first 45 minutes aboard the abandoned freighter Mary Deare is as tense, thrilling and downright eerie as any sea story ever made. Music, mood, acting -- especially Gary Cooper's crazed Gideon Patch -- is simply flawless. If the story flags a bit in the middle section, when Cooper is put on trial, it isn't because it isn't wonderfully well done and very involving. It is only because coming after the sterling opening, anything would have felt a bit of a letdown. Highly recommended.

This is essentially a man's movie, but for gals who thought Paul Newman's eyes are blue, take a look at "Coop" in these close-ups! If you love a mystery, this is definitely worth the price of admission.

this was a used vhs tape but arrived in perfect condition. thank you so much

Heston made some very unusual films with the likes of E.G. Robinson, David Niven , Orson Welles and others..this is a fine drama regarding the ship the Mary Deare.

Its an action and a morality play two in one..with some fine effects.