The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea (1976)

April 11, 1976 (GB) • Drama, Mystery, Thriller • 105m

Overview

When a widowed mother falls in love with an American sailor, her troubled young son is pressured by the bullying leader of his clique to seek revenge.

Director

Lewis John Carlino, Yukio Mishima

Top Billed

Sarah Miles

Keywords

based on novel or book widow revenge sailor seaside town devon mother son relationship

Where to watch

Free / Included

Shout! Factory Amazon Channel

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Wuchak

⭐ 8/10

June 25, 2020

**Disturbing, potent, beautiful and undeservedly obscure**

RELEASED IN 1976 and based on the 1963 novel by Yukio Mishima, “The Sailor who Fell from Grace with the Sea” chronicles events on coastal England where a small group of boys around 12-14 years-old are led by an angry psychopath named “the Chief” (Earl Rhodes). Jonathan (Jonathan Kahn) experiences Oedipus complex living with his well-to-do widowed mother (Sarah Miles), who starts dating a handsome American sailor (Kris Kristofferson), the second officer of a ship that anchors in the harbor. But what does Jonathan & “the Chief” have to say about this?

This mixes unsettling themes and scenic beauty of “Last Summer” (1969) with the eroticism of movies like “Last Tango in Paris” (1972) along with a bit o’ “Summer of ’42.” “Last Summer” was based on the 1968 book by Evan Hunter and I can’t help but wonder if Hunter ripped-off Mishima’s novel.

In any case, this is a powerful tale about the dark side of coming-of-age, fatherlessness, peer pressure and the misleading of a sociopath. Naturally, to be respected in the Chief’s gang is willingness to engage in an act of great cruelty. Why? Because psychopaths revel in cruelty and despise compassion. It’s a fascinating study of disturbing deviance and the herd mentality. The fact that the seaside locations are breathtaking is a plus.

Another reviewer complained that switching the events from Japan to coastal England misses the point of the book, nonsense. The social influence of rigid cliques is universal and, generally speaking, neglected boys like this don’t take into consideration serious consequences due to youthful ignorance and arrogance.

THE FILM RUNS 1 hour, 45 minutes, and was shot in-and-around Dartmouth, Devon, England.

GRADE: A-

show less

Loading…

The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea (1976)

Lewis John Carlino, Yukio Mishima

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Wuchak

Recommended Movies

The Devil Wears Prada 2

Your Heart Will Be Broken

Enola Holmes 3

Project Hail Mary

Status

Original Language

Budget

Revenue

Rate This Movie

Rate This TV Show