Watch The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea

The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea is a haunting drama, released in 1976, portraying the lives of young and mature adults, evolving from naivety to disillusionment. Based on the novel by Yukio Mishima, it is directed by Lewis John Carlino, who unobtrusively captures the pathos of fragile human relationships in monochromatic hues, and stars Sarah Miles, Kris Kristofferson and Jonathan Kahn, embodying their characters to exacting perfection.

The story unfolds in a port town in the UK, where Anne Osborne (Miles), a widow, and her adolescent son Jonathan (Kahn) reside. Anne is an affable woman, who earns her living by running a local antique shop. However, everything changes when she meets a vagabond sailor, named Jim Cameron (Kristofferson), who anchors in her port for a while. Despite the contrasting nature of Anne and Jim, both develop an instant liking, which turns into a passionate relationship that Jonathan deeply resents.

Jonathan finds comfort in a group of boys, led by the psychopathic, yet charismatic, Chief (Earl Rhodes), who share his contempt towards adults and their hypocritical nature. The boys' perspective informs their actions, leading to gruesome violence, which Jonathan finds increasingly hard to justify.

As Jim gets closer to Anne, he begins to exhibit a paternal side, which initially surprises Jonathan. But the boy soon becomes convinced that Jim has betrayed his ideology by accepting the mundane and domestic manner of living with Anne. Greed, jealousy, and a warped vision of masculinity make Jonathan believe Jim deserves the life Chief and the boys have planned for him.

The characters are multifaceted, offering a plethora of interpretations as the narrative unfolds. Sarah Miles, as Anne, portrays an innocent, childlike charm in the beginning but evolves into filling with passion, pain and heartbreak. Kris Kristofferson is enigmatic and has a quiet masculinity, perfectly conveying every nuance of Jim's character. Jonathan Kahn, as the conflicted teenager, displays the onset of adolescence and desires concurrently, as he transitions from a boy to a young man. The supporting ensemble of Earl Rhodes and his appalling band of boys only reinforce the stark differences between childhood innocence and adolescent callousness.

The cinematography, by Douglas Slocombe, is breathtakingly beautiful while working to emphasize the emotional strife of the characters. The mood and tone of the film are somber, and the desolate cinematography, combined with the eerily haunting music score by Johnny Mandel, make for a delectable experience.

The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea is a deeply affecting drama dealing with the coming of age issues, with an overlay of loss and betrayal. It is a nuanced and introspective reflection of society's ingrained gender roles and the inevitable trauma caused when individuals inevitably challenge them.

Overall, The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea is a remarkable piece of cinema that deserves careful contemplation. The performances, music, and tone invite the audience to immerse themselves in the story and the characters, to explore their motivations and to question their beliefs. The film is highly recommended to fans of drama, coming-of-age cinema, and anyone looking for a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.

The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea is a 1976 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.