This curious film offers some depth amidst its seemingly simple exterior. While several characters are examined, it's the 'stranger on the shore' that will eventually change the lives of all who come in contact.
Major reviews for this film have cited it as having a muddled script, they list the running time at 74m-showing they've reviewed the cut American, or British, versions - Perhaps this contributes to their 'muddled' reviews. The films European R/T is 104m. The cut version did however tend to keep enough of the main elements together.
The stranger's name is Clements, perfectly played by award winner Cliff Robertson, who gives a well mounted brooding performance. After serving five yrs as ship's engineer during WW11, Clements has come in search of a peaceful existence. He's ready to buy a boat and start a sponge fishing business in Kalymnos, Greece. Here, while visiting an old war friend he foolishly gets drunk, setting off a chain of events that will place his life in serious danger. When his savings are stolen he sets off to the Island of Kuluri, in search of the girl he believes took his bankroll. Other main leads are expertly played by Maria Schell (as Mana) and Cameron Mitchel (as Psarathanas a disfigured bully) they speak in English, but the support players are dubbed.
The Cinematography by Kurt Hass, shot in difficult locations around rugged cliff faces and mountainous regions captures the harsh lives of these impoverished fishing folk on the storm lashed coasts they work. Hass is also known for the Golden Globe winner: "Before Sundown" '56 and "Town Without Pity" '61. The Director: Horst Hachler is also known as an actor in "The Last Bridge" '54. Perhaps the real credits for this film lie with the Writers and the Producer.
The Producer: Carl Szokll, was known for his active role in the liberation of Vienna from the Nazis in 1945. Szokll, was one of the few conspirators in the plot to assassinate Hitler, who went undetected. He infiltrated the German Wehrmacht as a Captain. So impressed were the Germans that following the attempt on Hitler's life, they promoted him to Major. When the news came through that the Russians were about to take Vienna, the Nazis gave orders to destroy the city. Szokll used old orders from '44 to assume control of the troops, setting up a peaceful surrender to the Soviets and preventing Vienna's destruction.
The Writers: Firstly, British born Jeffrey Dell. Having survived a plane crash while with the Royal Flying Corps in 1917, then trained as a solicitor - getting his first writing break with "Payment Deferred" '32, starring Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Sullivan & Ray Milland. He wrote three novels: "Nobody Ordered Wolves", "News From Heaven" & "The Hoffman Factor". Dell also adapted the screenplay for the classic "Saunders Of The River". He took a major hand in the screenplay for the highly reviewed "Thunder Rock" '42,interestingly, the main character in this story shares some similarities to Clements' stranger in "As The Sea..." a fellow seeking peace, in isolation, from the warring evils of his fellow man.
For this screenplay, Dell worked with New York born: Jo Eisinger, who was already well known for working with Jules Dassin on "Night And The City" '50 - and Charles Vidors "Gilda" '46. In '57 he wrote the original story and Screenplay for the well reviewed Stanwyck/Hayden starer: "Crime of Passion". It would seem that a third writer: Walter Ulbrich, helped to adapt fellow German, Werner Helwig's novel: "Raubfischer Von Hellas". Helwigs's novel remains in print to this day and the Clements character is based on a friend of the author. It looks likely that Dell and Eisiinger, could then have been brought in to adapt the screenplay for an international market.
The haunting music is by German born Friedrich Meyer. His themes are based on original Greek motifs, creating at times, an ethereal atmosphere. Meyer is also known for the award winning "Erfolg" in '91.
In some of the more dramatic moments Clements returns from enforced one to one combat, staggers into the arms of Mana (Schell) and achingly utters..."Forced to fight to stay alive....but, murder no satisfaction, just bitterness" In an earlier scene he remembers his home, telling her..."The fields were filled with the smell of Lavender blossoms, the day the soldiers came, give any man a machine gun and he can wipe out an entire family in seconds and that's war, wonderful war" (referring to his own haunted past). In a tender scene with Mana he tells her..."we may never find peace, but the main thing is that we keep on looking"
At the close of the film he sees his friends trawler being dashed against rocks below. He addresses the villagers who don't want to go out to rescue them "because they are 'not from our Island" he tells them: "These men have families just like you, they also stink of fish...just like you"
The only worthy review I've seen for this film to date, is by Eleanor Mannikka Rovi, posted on Fandango. She describes it as: "Addressing the petty tyrannies & misunderstandings that lead to war". On its release in 1961 it was linked around the globe as a double bill with "Mein Kampf". That alone would have been enough to sink it. Perhaps some TV station or TCM may be able to obtain a print, or some overseas company may treat us to a DVD release? It deserves a second chance for those that like their entertainment to be a little off the beaten track.
A very good selection of scenes from this film can be seen on a YouTube posting from 2010 - selling trips to one of the filming locations on Mana within the Kornati Islands, Dalmation Coast Croatia. I'm sure many may have enjoyed this rare little film without even knowing its name..... KenR.
