Hell Boats (1970): Cast & Plot
Hell Boats is a 1970 war drama directed by Paul Wendkos, starring James Franciscus as Lt. Comdr. Jeffords, R.N.V.R., Reuven Bar-Yotam and Moultrie Kelsall. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Paul Wendkos
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Oakmont Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Hell Boats About?
The premise of Hell Boats without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The film follows the daring crews of World II motor torpedo boats who charge straight at enemy ships, embracing a “hit it head‑on” ethos as they confront a hellish battlefield. While the naval action provides a thrilling backdrop, the story ultimately centers on a poignant romance that unfolds amid the chaos of war.
Hell Boats Themes & Keywords
· 18 tags- brief female nudity
- brief topless female nudity
- boat
- torpedo
- 1940s
- malta
- patrol boat
- suicide mission
- royal navy
- resistance fighter
- love triangle
- fisherman
+6 more Show fewer
- diver
- deception
- air raid
- world war two
- based on novel
- independent film
Hell Boats Cast & Characters
James Franciscus leads the cast as Lt. Comdr. Jeffords, R.N.V.R., with Reuven Bar-Yotam as C.P.O. Yacov and Moultrie Kelsall as Vice Admiral Ashurst. Directed by Paul Wendkos; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Paul Wendkos
-
James Franciscus as Lt. Comdr. Jeffords, R.N.V.R. - Reuven Bar-Yotam as C.P.O. Yacov
- Moultrie Kelsall as Vice Admiral Ashurst
- Elizabeth Shepherd as Alison
Also Starring in Hell Boats
· 8 more- Ronald Allen Comdr. Ashurst, R.N.
- Philip Madoc 'E' Boat Captain
- Magda Konopka Luciana
- David Savile Lieut. Wallace, R.N.
- Inigo Jackson C.P.O. Stanhope
- Drewe Henley Sub. Lt. Johnson, R.N.
- Takis Emmanuel
- Mark Hawkins Lieut. Barlow, R.N
Hell Boats Plot Summary
What happens in Hell Boats from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lt. Cmdr. Jeffords, James Franciscus, an American serving with the Royal Navy Reserve, is assigned to Valletta, Malta, to command a small flotilla of Motor Torpedo Boats on a top-secret mission. He is allowed to bring his friend Chief Petty Officer Yacov, Reuven Bar-Yotam, a Jewish Palestinian, along.
Through scavenging spare parts from sunken craft, the battered flotilla cobbles together three seaworthy boats. Jeffords’ objective is to destroy a former Italian submarine base in Augusta, Sicily, that now houses German Fritz X glide bombs—weapons that have devastated British shipping. The bombs are stored in submarine pens carved into a mountain, making an aerial strike unfeasible. It falls to Jeffords to devise a plan that can succeed under these constraints.
Full summary
The whole story of Hell Boats, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Hell Boats?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Lieutenant Commander Jeffords?
Hell Boats Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Barcos del infierno” and “Bateaux enfer”.
- Also known as
-
- Barcos del infierno
- Bateaux enfer
- Чёртовы лодки
Seen Hell Boats?
Movies Like Hell Boats
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Hell Divers, Hell Below and Hell and High Water.
Hell Boats FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Hell Boats, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hell Boats?
Hell Boats runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was Hell Boats released?
Hell Boats was released on March 20, 1970.
Who directed Hell Boats?
Hell Boats was directed by Paul Wendkos.
More films by Paul Wendkos Who is in the cast of Hell Boats?
Hell Boats stars James Franciscus as Lt. Comdr. Jeffords, R.N.V.R., Reuven Bar-Yotam as C.P.O. Yacov and Moultrie Kelsall as Vice Admiral Ashurst, among 12 credited actors.
Does Hell Boats have a post-credit scene?
No. Hell Boats has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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