Watch The Lightship

The Lightship is a gripping drama from 1985, directed by Jerzy Skolimowski, and starring Robert Duvall, Klaus Maria Brandauer, and Michal Skolimowski. The movie is set on a lighthouse ship named "The Motor Ship Noorderlicht" which is anchored off the coast of New England. The Lightship is an emotionally tense and claustrophobic thriller that tells the story of a group of men struggling to survive in the hazardous waters off the coast of Maine.

The story begins when a group of escaped convicts on a boat crashes into the Noorderlicht. One of the convicts, Reimers (Klaus Maria Brandauer), is a very dangerous and volatile man who quickly takes control of the situation. He boards the lighthouse ship with his cohorts and takes the captain and crew hostage, demanding that they help him get away.

The protagonist of The Lightship is the ship's captain, Miller (Robert Duvall). The movie follows Miller as he tries to outsmart Reimers and protect his crew while they are held hostage. Miller is a tough and resourceful man who knows the coast and the waters better than anyone. He tries to use his knowledge to outwit Reimers, but the prisoner is cunning and unpredictable.

As the story unfolds, tension builds between Miller and Reimers, each trying to control the situation in their own way. Miller wants to save his crew and survive the ordeal, while Reimers is determined to escape at any cost. The other characters on the ship, including the young radio operator, Johan (Michal Skolimowski), are caught in the middle of this dangerous standoff.

The Lightship is a movie that showcases a unique setting and some excellent performances. The confined space of the lighthouse ship makes for a very claustrophobic and tense environment, and the director uses this to great effect to create an atmosphere of danger and uncertainty. The characters are all well-rounded and complex, with strong personalities that clash and overlap in fascinating ways.

The acting in The Lightship is excellent, with Robert Duvall giving a standout performance as Captain Miller. Duvall is at his best in roles like this, highlighting the rugged determination and resourcefulness of his character. Klaus Maria Brandauer is also great as the menacing Reimers, who is determined to get what he wants at any cost.

Michal Skolimowski provides a great supporting role as the young radio operator Johan. His character adds depth to the story, as he is caught between the ruthless Reimers and the tough but fair Miller. The interactions between these three characters are some of the most interesting and well-paced scenes in the movie.

Overall, The Lightship is an intense, well-made thriller that showcases some excellent acting and a unique setting. It's a movie that holds up well today, offering something different than the typical Hollywood fare while still being accessible and engaging. If you're a fan of tense, character-driven dramas, then The Lightship is definitely worth checking out.

The Lightship is a 1985 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.