Watch Night Tide

Night Tide (1961) is a unique and eerie film directed by Curtis Harrington. The film stars a young, pre-Easy Rider Dennis Hopper as Johnny, a lonely sailor who falls in love with a mysterious woman named Mora, played by Linda Lawson. Johnny meets Mora while visiting a seaside carnival, where she performs as a mermaid in a sideshow attraction. Johnny is immediately drawn to Mora's beauty and mysterious aura, and the two begin a whirlwind romance. However, Johnny soon discovers that Mora may be more than she appears to be, and he becomes embroiled in a dark and dangerous mystery.

The film is shot in moody, atmospheric black and white, which only adds to the eerie atmosphere. The story takes place mostly at night, mostly on a deserted beach or a lighthouse, and the only sounds are the crashing waves and the occasional seagull. The cinematography is stunning, with Harrington making good use of the misty seaside setting to create a sense of foreboding and mystery.

Dennis Hopper delivers a strong performance as Johnny, a character who is both vulnerable and determined. He is a man who is searching for something in his life, but he doesn't quite know what it is. When he meets Mora, he thinks he has found it, but he soon discovers that their love may be doomed. Linda Lawson is excellent as Mora, the enigmatic mermaid who is at the center of the film's mystery. Lawson brings a haunting quality to the role, with her wide, mournful eyes and her soft-spoken delivery.

The supporting cast is also excellent, with Gavin Muir delivering a brilliant turn as the strange and enigmatic Captain Murdock. He is a character who is equal parts charming and sinister, and Muir pulls off the performance with ease. Marjorie Eaton is also excellent as Mora's eccentric landlady, who seems to know more about Mora's true nature than she lets on.

At its heart, Night Tide is a love story, but it's a love story with a twist. The film explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and otherness. Mora is an outsider, a mermaid in a world that doesn't understand her. Johnny is also an outsider, a sailor who spends most of his time alone at sea. The two are drawn to each other because of their shared sense of otherness, but their love may ultimately be doomed.

The film is also reminiscent of classic film noir, with its shadowy cinematography, mysterious characters, and sense of impending doom. The world of Night Tide is one where danger lurks around every corner, and the film keeps the audience on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Overall, Night Tide is a haunting and atmospheric film that is well worth watching. The film's stark, atmospheric cinematography, strong performances, and dark, mysterious plot make it a unique and memorable piece of cinema. If you're a fan of classic film noir or eerie, atmospheric cinema, then Night Tide is definitely a film that shouldn't be missed.

Night Tide is a 1961 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.