The Ship That Died of Shame (1955): Cast & Plot
The Ship That Died of Shame is a 1955 drama thriller directed by Basil Dearden, starring Richard Attenborough as George Hoskins, Virginia McKenna and George Baker. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Basil Dearden
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Ealing Studios
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Ship That Died of Shame About?
The premise of The Ship That Died of Shame without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After World II, the former crew of a motor gunboat pool their resources to repurchase their old vessel and start an independent venture. Braving the post‑war turmoil, they seem to pursue a respectable scheme, but they soon turn the ship into a smuggling operation, navigating dangerous waters both literally and morally, and their camaraderie fuels a perilous contraband network that pulls them deeper into crime.
The Ship That Died of Shame Themes & Keywords
· 37 tags- poole
- arms smuggling
- torpedo boat
- man overboard
- morality
- world war two
- war ended
- seeking a job
- illegal activities
- mechanic
- british noir
- shipwreck
+25 more Show fewer
- post world war two
- ethics
- fog
- mutiny
- navy gun boat
- war ship
- get the old war ship
- repairs
- lie
- 3 friends
- smuggler
- vessel
- smuggling
- black market
- veteran
- contraband
- seasickness
- murder of a child
- mal de mer
- customs officer
- counterfeit money
- arms dealer
- portugal
- people smuggling
- pedophile
The Ship That Died of Shame Cast & Characters
Richard Attenborough leads the cast as George Hoskins, with Virginia McKenna as Helen Randall and George Baker as Bill Randall. Directed by Basil Dearden; 12 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Basil Dearden
-
Richard Attenborough as George Hoskins -
Virginia McKenna as Helen Randall - George Baker as Bill Randall
- Bill Owen as Birdie
Also Starring in The Ship That Died of Shame
· 8 more- Roland Culver Maj. Fordyce
- John Chandos Raines
- Bernard Lee Customs Officer Brewster
- Alfie Bass Sailor (uncredited)
- Ralph Truman Sir Richard
- Harold Goodwin Customs Officer
- John Longden Detective
- Stratford Johns Garage Worker (uncredited)
More from Basil Dearden
More films directed by Basil Dearden, best-rated first: Victim, The Assassination Bureau, Woman of Straw and Mission: Monte Carlo.
The Ship That Died of Shame Plot Summary
What happens in The Ship That Died of Shame from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
1087, a British Royal Navy motor gun boat, carries its crew through the worst the Second World War can throw at them. After the war, first lieutenant George Hoskins convinces former skipper Bill Randall and coxswain Birdie to buy the boat and try what he calls harmless, minor smuggling—starting with wine. The idea is simple, the profits are tempting, and the trio leans into the plan with a cautious optimism that soon proves dangerously fragile.
Full summary
The whole story of The Ship That Died of Shame, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Ship That Died of Shame?
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
What is the hull number of the Royal Navy motor gun boat featured in the film?
Cars in The Ship That Died of Shame
3 cars on screen, including the 1935 MG PB and the 1947 Bedford O-Type.
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1935 MG PB Important role -
1947 Bedford O-Type Minor role -
1936 MG SA Background role
The Ship That Died of Shame Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “PT Raiders” and “怒海闪电战”.
- Also known as
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- PT Raiders
- 怒海闪电战
- L'ultima vendetta
- Loď, která zemřela hanbou
- Le Bateau qui mourut de honte
Seen The Ship That Died of Shame?
Movies Like The Ship That Died of Shame
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Ship of the Dead, Seas Beneath and The Ship of Lost Men.
The Ship That Died of Shame FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Ship That Died of Shame, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Ship That Died of Shame?
The Ship That Died of Shame runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was The Ship That Died of Shame released?
The Ship That Died of Shame was released on April 19, 1955.
Who directed The Ship That Died of Shame?
The Ship That Died of Shame was directed by Basil Dearden.
More films by Basil Dearden Who is in the cast of The Ship That Died of Shame?
The Ship That Died of Shame stars Richard Attenborough as George Hoskins, Virginia McKenna as Helen Randall and George Baker as Bill Randall, among 12 credited actors.
Does The Ship That Died of Shame have a post-credit scene?
No. The Ship That Died of Shame has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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