Death Ship (1980)

38% of users liked it
(561 ratings)

After a passenger liner is rammed and sunk by a derelict German freighter from World War II, the handful of survivors (which include George Kennedy and Richard Crenna) manage to board the unmanned hulk but soon discover that their perils have just begun. Apparently the freighter served as a kind of… More After a passenger liner is rammed and sunk by a derelict German freighter from World War II, the handful of survivors (which include George Kennedy and Richard Crenna) manage to board the unmanned hulk but soon discover that their perils have just begun. Apparently the freighter served as a kind of floating Nazi torture dungeon, and its corridors and bulkheads have somehow become imbued with the very forces of evil that once tormented its captive cargo. When the rather lethargic resident ghosts finally work up the energy to harass their new visitors, viewers are treated to a gallery of decomposing corpses, a supernaturally-triggered case of acne, and the somewhat bland demonic possession of Kennedy, who suddenly declares himself Nazi commandant for a day. This rusty, waterlogged variant on the standard haunted-house theme begins with the interesting premise of ship-as-predator, but provides nothing new in the way of shocks, effects or atmosphere -- and the sleepwalking leads don't help matters either. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Alvin Rakoff
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Apr 4, 1980 Wide

Critic Reviews

Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Rafkoff é o típico cineasta que se orgulha de ser picareta: além de ser incapaz de criar um único plano razoável, ele ainda rouba imagens de outras produções, provando ser discípulo fiel de Ed Wood.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
guilty pleasure
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Gritty, goopy tale of rusting ships and Nazi ghosts.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

I first saw this film when I was a teenager. I was heavily into horror, I still am, and I decided to pick this title because it had a cool cover. The film is fun to watch and it has plenty of creepy moments. I really enjoyed the story, I thought it was an original story and concept.… More
I first saw this film when I was a teenager. I was heavily into horror, I still am, and I decided to pick this title because it had a cool cover. The film is fun to watch and it has plenty of creepy moments. I really enjoyed the story, I thought it was an original story and concept. Death Ship has had the misfortune of not being released in the States and Canada on DVD, there's only a UK edition DVD. The original negatives were lost. I strongly think that this is the pure definition of a cult classic, the horror is done very well, the acting decent at best. The look is dark and ominous aboard the death ship. a truly misunderstood Gem of a horror film that should be watched, if you successfully acquire a copy of the film, you should take the time to watch it, and hopefully you'll enjoy it.
Lafe F

A great movie about a group of people trapped on a haunted Nazi ship. They are killed in various scary and creative ways. The ship itself is a great menacing location, with each section being a chamber of horrors. George Kennedy is awesome as the captain gone insane. Some scenes were… More
A great movie about a group of people trapped on a haunted Nazi ship. They are killed in various scary and creative ways. The ship itself is a great menacing location, with each section being a chamber of horrors. George Kennedy is awesome as the captain gone insane. Some scenes were genuinely creepy, like the old radios with the Nazi voices on it, the pool of bodies, and the Nazi marching film projector which won't stop. It's a great ride on the "Death Ship"!
Barry L

Very very silly but some great gorey bits....70 pulp