Watch Voyage of the Damned

Voyage of the Damned is a historical drama film released in 1976, directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Faye Dunaway, Oskar Werner, and Lee Grant. The film is based on a true story about a group of Jewish refugees who tried to escape from Nazi Germany in 1939, only to end up stranded on a ship with no country willing to accept them.

The movie begins with the arrival of Captain Schroeder (played by Max von Sydow) in Nazi Germany. He is approached by a group of wealthy Jewish families who offer him a large sum of money to transport them to Cuba. Captain Schroeder agrees to the plan, and the passengers board the ship, named MS St. Louis.

However, upon reaching Havana, the passengers are not allowed to disembark due to strict immigration policies. They are forced to remain on the ship for weeks, despite the efforts of the passengers' families to secure visas for them. The situation is complicated when a group of Cuban revolutionaries hijack a ship in Havana harbor, and the Cuban government becomes even more wary of allowing the refugees to enter the country.

As the situation on the ship becomes increasingly desperate, the passengers begin to lose hope. Some try to jump overboard and swim to shore, but they are quickly captured by the Cuban coastguard. Others begin to suffer from illness and lack of food and water.

Meanwhile, back in the United States, a young lawyer named Morris Troper (played by Lee Grant) becomes involved in the case. She works tirelessly to try to gain entry for the refugees, but she is met with resistance from the American government and public.

The film is a poignant portrayal of the human cost of political decisions. It highlights the plight of the Jewish refugees who were caught between the policies of different governments, and the courage and determination of those who tried to help them.

The acting in Voyage of the Damned is excellent. Faye Dunaway gives a powerful performance as a Jewish singer who becomes a symbol of hope for the passengers. Her character is both vulnerable and determined, and she brings a depth of emotion to the role that is touching and heart-wrenching.

Oskar Werner is also outstanding as the ship's doctor, who must balance his professional responsibilities with his compassion for the passengers. He brings a sensitivity to the role that is both moving and wise.

Overall, Voyage of the Damned is a powerful and thought-provoking film that raises important questions about humanity and politics. It is a timely reminder of the dangers of discrimination and the importance of compassion and empathy in times of crisis.

Voyage of the Damned is a 1976 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 31.