First, is the real sense of jeopardy in the film. It is rare to see a film that makes you genuinely doubt what the fate of main characters will be. Perhaps showing death early on lends it an air of unpredictability. Sure, youd imagine Mills would survive as lead character, but for everyone else, who can say.

Second, the acting in general, but particularly Harey Andrews as Pugh.

Third, the characters. Captain Ansom must be about the most weak, idiotic, wreckless and unsympathetic lead character I have seen in a long time. A real King Midas in reverse. The Sister is pleasantly non-melodramatic, although heaven knows where the love interest suddenly sprung from.

Its the first time I've ever seen it and I think it would have blown me away at the time, 60 years later it still had an impact when many of its peers have aged badly and can leave me Ice Cold.

7/10