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The Riddle of the Sands (1979)

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Movie Info

One of the earliest English spy novels, The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers, is the basis for this movie. In the story, it is 1901, and England is at the height of its power and influence in the world. Arthur Davies (Simon MacCorkindale) is out sailing in his yacht in the North Sea. Off the coast of Germany, he has a set-to with a local sea-captain, Dollmann (Alan Badel). The encounter itself was odd enough, but adding to it's strangeness is Arthur's nagging sense that the German captain

PG, 1 hr. 39 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Tony Maylam

Cast

Michael York
Charles Carruthers
Jenny Agutter
Clara Dollman
Simon MacCorkindale
Arthur Davies
Alan Badel
Dollman
Jurgen Andersen
Von Bruning
Olga Lowe
Frau Dollman
Hans Meyer
Grimm
Michael Sheard
Bohme
Wolf Kahler
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Ronald Markham
Withers
Susannah York

Critic Reviews for The Riddle of the Sands

All Critics (1) | Fresh (0) | Rotten (2) | DVD (1)

This 1979 film adaptation of the classic spy thriller is rather too plain and dry to capture all of the tale's adventure.

October 13, 2011 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

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John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

Perhaps director Tony Maylam was being too literal in adapting the novel to the screen, a novel that didn't translate well.

October 13, 2011 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

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John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

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Audience Reviews for The Riddle of the Sands

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Great movie...suspense & espionage, story, acting and action all superb. Has one of the best sailing scenes ever when the villain uses his yacht to attack the hero's small sailboat during a storm. Takes place in the years before the 1st world war. I never tire of watching it.

July 23, 2010

Roger Van Ghent

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