Watch The Wreck of the Mary Deare
- Approved
- 1959
- 1 hr 45 min
-
6.7 (3,009)
In the 1959 film The Wreck of the Mary Deare, directed by Michael Anderson, Gary Cooper plays John Sands, a sailor who is hired by a salvage company to investigate the mysterious sinking of the Mary Deare. Charlton Heston plays the role of the stubborn and morally ambiguous Captain Patch, the only survivor of the Mary Deare who is found aboard the sinking ship by Sands. Michael Redgrave plays Mr. Dunchester, the lawyer who represents the ship's owners and who hires the salvage company to recover the cargo of the Mary Deare.
The film opens with Sands sleeping aboard a salvage ship as it sails through a terrible storm. The ship stumbles across the Mary Deare, which they initially believe to be abandoned. But as Sands boards the sinking vessel, he discovers Captain Patch hiding below deck. The two men develop a wary relationship as they begin to uncover clues to the Mary Deare's sinking. Sands is initially skeptical of Captain Patch's story that the ship was sabotaged by a mysterious crewman, but as they work together to uncover evidence, Sands begins to see that there may be more to the story than he first thought.
The tension between Sands and Patch deepens as they make their way to London to report their findings to Mr. Dunchester. Sands is convinced that Patch is hiding something and is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means putting his own life at risk. Patch, on the other hand, is just as determined to keep the truth buried, and as the film progresses, we see the lengths he is willing to go to in order to protect himself and his secret.
The film's tension is heightened by its setting â the treacherous and unpredictable sea â and by its strong cast, particularly Cooper and Heston, who play off each other well. Cooper brings his trademark stoicism to the role of Sands, portraying him as a man who is as tough as the sea he sails on, but who also has a strong sense of justice and morality. Heston, meanwhile, is perfectly cast as Captain Patch, playing him as a man who is both charismatic and dangerous, a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive, even if it means sacrificing others.
As the film builds toward its climax, we see Sands and Patch facing off against each other, each determined to protect his own interests. The tension is palpable, and the audience is left wondering until the very end how the story will resolve itself.
Overall, The Wreck of the Mary Deare is a gripping and intense film that showcases the talents of its exceptional cast. It's a story of survival, morality, and the lengths people will go to in order to protect their own interests, and it's a film that remains relevant and engaging over 60 years after its initial release.
The Wreck of the Mary Deare is a 1959 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.
