Ship of Fools (1965)

Wow! Such a good movie.

Wonderful character development!

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Initially I was inspired to view Vivian's swan song. However, it appeared too much of a rehash of Blanche for any redeeming merit. She most likely required the cash for medical bills. Very sad to see her deteriorate so quickly, a most ardent beauty.I found it most difficult to comprehend how most every single person had to have a breakdown and some sad sack story that overly dramatized such minor plot lines given the grand Nazi takeover sentiment. It appears that due to lack of material, each storyline was extended beyond boredom and to punch it up EVERYONE had to cry, including Dirty Dozen hero Lee Marvin. It had to have been his double since you really could not see his face. I am certain he defiantly refused to relinquish his bravado image and most likely under duress to even have that scene shown.My favorite couple was the doctor and the contessa. Simone retained her appeal and you could see that she portrayed an awareness of her great beauty, albeit years ago. The doctor was the most sympathetic of characters who did not overplay his role and the subtlety played off in spades.I also appreciated the scene with the 16 year old boy willing to kill his grandfather to provide relief for a modicum of much needed loving. Now that was as close to reality as it got in this terrible script! Overall, overkill on the characters, length of film and uninteresting plot lines.Recommend for Vivien fans and seeing Lee Marvin breakdown. This reminds me of "Sleepless in Seattle" when Tom Hanks cries over Trini Lopez dying in the Dirty Dozen. Who would have thought he may have seen this film and was inspired for that scene!!

There's pretty much agreement that "Ship of Fools" is a good film. With a dream cast, it's become a respected staple, yet not quite a classic.I've watched the film several times, and I kept wondering what was preventing it from a still greater achievement. My conclusion is in its ultra realistic look and feel. Director Stanley Kramer uses the same technical style as in his "Not As a Stranger": crystal clear, razor- sharp photography, lots of stark, revealing close ups, and a pretty stationary camera for lengthy dialog scenes.However, I feel the production could have been done in a more expressionistic, softer tone to achieve a higher poetic and universal level. As it stands, the work seems rather earth-bound, speaking to its particular period. One doesn't feel it offers a very strong revelation for us today---that its enacted foibles and fallacies applies equally to contemporary standards.An example of the latter might be what Stanley Donen achieved in the lengthy dialogs and soliloquies of "Long Day's Journey into Night." Here one feels a timelessness and universality, and one notes softer photographic lenses and subdued lighting employed.However, in "Ship of Fools" the cast can't be bettered, and it may be admitted that Porter's book may have been a daunting project to film. So what we have in this effort is a 3:4-star achievement.

This film has a first rate cast like the great Vivien Leigh, Simone Signoret, Oskar Werner, Lee Marvin, Elizabeth Ashley, George Segal, Michael Dunn, Jose Ferrer, and others to write about here. The relationships that occurred on the ship seemed destined for failure. The voyage takes place in 1933 before Hitler becomes the dictator of Germany. Many of the passengers are Germans returning to their country. Not all, La Condensa (played by French actress Simone Signoret) is Spanish and develops a relationship with the ship's doctor played by Oskar Werner. The ending is a bit vague about the doctor's fate. Elizabeth Ashley and George Segal play an American couple who are in love but torn when they learn more about each other. Vivien Leigh only a few years before her own death plays a bitter American divorcée, Mrs. Treadwell. With good writing, she could have won her third Academy Award but didn't even get nominated. Lee Marvin plays a washed up baseball player. Michael Dunn is the philosophical dwarf who introduces us to the ship of fools. The film won two Oscars for cinematography and art direction both for black and white. The film doesn't shy away from the impending doom for the Jews in Germany and in Europe or the upcoming war in the future. It's horrifying to think that signs were missed. I think that's the horrifying part of films like this and Cabaret, you know what's coming and you want the cast to be prepared. Jose Ferrer is great in his role as a devout German. The film does show the class differences between the steerage and the upper decks as well. It's a fine film overall!

Only a fool would find something to criticize about "Ship of Fools." This gem from Stanley Kramer has some of the most fascinating/interesting characters ever to grace the screen. It has an all star cast, and all the stars shine brightly.This barely pre-Nazi film is intriguing from the very beginning to the very end.The relationships of all involved are quite real, the actors involved getting very involved with their portrayals. It is hard to single any one of them out. The casting is perfect.You love or hate the characters. There is no room for indifference on this "Ship Of Fools."