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Lifeboat is a gripping and suspenseful film from 1944, directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. The story takes place during World War II and follows a group of survivors from a Nazi attack on their ship. These survivors are adrift on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean, and they must rely on their survival instincts and work together to stay alive.

Tallulah Bankhead stars as Connie Porter, a wealthy journalist who finds herself stranded on the lifeboat with a diverse group of people. Among the passengers are John Kovac, played by John Hodiak, a tough and determined sailor; Walter Slezak as the mysterious German sailor Willy; and William Bendix, as Gus Smith, a simple-minded worker from the ship.

As the survivors struggle to stay alive, tensions and suspicions rise among them. Connie, who is initially dismissive of John Kovac, comes to rely on him for his strength and leadership. Willy, who is initially welcomed as a fellow survivor, quickly becomes a source of paranoia and fear for the group.

Hitchcock's mastery of suspense is on full display in Lifeboat. The tension builds slowly as the survivors struggle to find food and water, and as they grapple with the moral and ethical questions of their dire situation. The director cleverly uses the small space of the lifeboat to create a claustrophobic atmosphere, adding to the sense of unease.

The performances of the cast are impressive, particularly Tallulah Bankhead's portrayal of Connie. Despite being confined to a small space for almost the entire film, Bankhead manages to convey both strength and vulnerability, and her transformation throughout the film is both believable and compelling.

John Hodiak also gives a standout performance as John Kovac. His character is the most well-rounded of the survivors, and his evolution from a gruff and unfeeling sailor to a compassionate leader is one of the film's highlights.

Walter Slezak's portrayal of Willy is also noteworthy. He manages to make the character simultaneously sympathetic and sinister, and his brooding presence adds to the tension of the film.

Overall, Lifeboat is a well-crafted and suspenseful film from one of the greatest directors in cinema history. Its exploration of survival, morality, and human nature is still relevant today, and its tense and gripping atmosphere ensures that it remains a classic of the genre.

Lifeboat is a 1944 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 78.