The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959)

57% of users liked it
(335 ratings)

Talented special effects and adventure director Michael Anderson (Around the World in 80 Days, 1956) keeps the suspense going in this drama about the wreck of the Mary Deare. John Sands (Charleton Heston) is the captain of a salvage ship that is almost rammed by the apparently abandoned Mary Deare.… More Talented special effects and adventure director Michael Anderson (Around the World in 80 Days, 1956) keeps the suspense going in this drama about the wreck of the Mary Deare. John Sands (Charleton Heston) is the captain of a salvage ship that is almost rammed by the apparently abandoned Mary Deare. Sands boards the ship in search of plunder but as it is tossed on the high seas, he discovers a half-crazed captain aboard (Gary Cooper). The captain of the Mary Deare, Gideon Patch, tells Sands his story and in the end, the ship is scuttled and sinks. While Sands believes the story, the court does not believe it and Captain Patch is devastated. Determined to prove his innocence, the two captains dive down to the sunken Mary Deare to dredge up the evidence they need -- building up to a slam-bang climax. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Michael Anderson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 6, 1959 Wide
On DVD: Nov 7, 2006

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Crisply done sea adventure.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Offbeat, compelling adventure-mystery tale featuring Cooper and Heston.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

This has all the makings of an Alfred Hitchcock Thriller, and I am told that he almost directed it. Charlton Heston and Gary Cooper combine there talents to make a truly unheard of 5 star film. My biggest surprise was that only 42 other people have review / seen this movie on… More
This has all the makings of an Alfred Hitchcock Thriller, and I am told that he almost directed it. Charlton Heston and Gary Cooper combine there talents to make a truly unheard of 5 star film. My biggest surprise was that only 42 other people have review / seen this movie on Flixster. No matter what part of this Universe you are from this is a must see movie. Charlton Heston plays the part of a salvage captain. He finds the Mary Deare afloat on the open seas, right from the start when he boards her the action begins. On board he finds Gary Cooper the only man left on board the sinking vessel, which they save by beaching her on the shoals. Onboard is a mystery cargo, as Cooper believes he was left onboard to go down with the ship for insurance purposes. Though when have a somewhat young Heston, in one scene Cooper was a little old to be floundering around in the water. But this is one of the unheard of greats of old school films. Rent, Buy, Beg, But not steal a copy and sit down on a nice night, unhook the phone and enjoy. 5 stars.

Cast

            Gary Cooper as Gideon Patch

            Charlton Heston as John Sands

            Michael Redgrave as Mr. Hyland

            Emlyn Williams as Sir Wilfred Falcett

            Richard Harris as Higgins

            Cecil Parker as The Chairman

            Alexander Knox as Petrie

            Ben Wright as Mike Duncan

            Virginia McKenna as Janet Taggart

            Peter Illing as Gunderson

            Ashley Cowan as Burrows

            Terence de Marney as Frank

            Alexander Archdale as Lloyd's Counsel

            Paul Bryar as Port Official

            Albert Carrier as Ambulance Attendant

            Lilyan Chauvin as Nun

            George Dee as French Captain

            Jean Del Val as Javot

            Noel Drayton as Bell

            Charles Lamb as Court Clerk

            John Le Mesurier as M.O.A. Lawyer

            Louis Mercier as Commander of Police

            Lomax Study as Photographer

            Charles Davis as Yules

            John Dearth as Reporter
See full cast