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Lifeboat

Play trailer Poster for Lifeboat 1944,  1h 36m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 90% 30 Reviews Tomatometer 87% 5,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In this tense Alfred Hitchcock thriller, based on a John Steinbeck novella, American and British civilians who have survived the sinking of their ship by a German submarine struggle to reach land in a crowded lifeboat. When a German officer (Walter Slezak) is rescued from the water, the group allows him to board, but his presence only increases the tensions on the boat. Soon treachery ensues, and the population of the vessel gradually decreases as conflicts come to a head.
Lifeboat

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Hitchcock proves he can wring suspense from the most confined of settings aboard a raft teeming with vivid personalities in this maritime thriller.

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Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety Oct 16, 2008
Despite that it's a slow starter, the picture, from the beginning, leaves a strong impact and, before too long, develops into the type of suspenseful product with which Hitchcock has always been identified. Go to Full Review
Bosley Crowther New York Times Mar 25, 2006
4/5
That old master of screen melodrama, Alfred Hitchcock, and Writer John Steinbeck have combined their distinctive talents in a tremendously provocative film. Go to Full Review
Dan Callahan Slant Magazine Oct 24, 2005
4/4
Hitchcock's shifting sympathies guarantee our guilty involvement with the characters until he builds to a climax of intellectual and spiritual excitation. Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Jan 28, 2024
4/5
Beyond the characters, this is a very challenging film from both a directing and cinematography standpoint. Go to Full Review
Kristin Battestella InSession Film Jul 25, 2023
Intense poker, lipstick, and flirtations increase as beards grow and tables turn amid storms, hunger, delirium, and suspicion in a no win situation that remains gripping from beginning to end. Go to Full Review
Francois Truffaut Arts (France) May 26, 2022
Lifeboat is like roast beef without gravy, and whoever does not get enthusiastic about the movie will be bored to death. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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George W Jan 27, 2019 not Hitchcocks best, but entertaining. Could be great if remade today and the plot holes plugged
Harry S Jan 25, 2019 Not a gripping movie in the least. Two stars tops.
Harry R Nov 19, 2018 Genius director Hitchcock creates amazing tension and drama, all within the confines of a lifeboat. Sheer brilliance from the master. See more
Albus P Sep 27, 2018 A nice psychological drama shot during WW2, which makes it the more interesting now, as a historical picture, in which we can see real war sentiments, not acted ones. See more
Anakin S Aug 21, 2018 One of the best Alfred Hitchcock films and one of the best films of the 1940s. Very interesting and addictive story. Highly recommend. See more
Theodore L Apr 24, 2018 An often overlooked Hitchcock film, this has as much drama and intrigue as you can pack into a lonely lifeboat drifting across the ocean. See more
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Lifeboat

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Alfred Hitchcock

Director

Tallulah Bankhead

Constance "Connie" Porter

William Bendix

Gus Smith

Walter Slezak

Willy

Mary Anderson

Alice MacKenzie

John Hodiak

John Kovac

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Lifeboat

Lifeboat (1944) Lifeboat (1944) Lifeboat (1944) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this tense Alfred Hitchcock thriller, based on a John Steinbeck novella, American and British civilians who have survived the sinking of their ship by a German submarine struggle to reach land in a crowded lifeboat. When a German officer (Walter Slezak) is rescued from the water, the group allows him to board, but his presence only increases the tensions on the boat. Soon treachery ensues, and the population of the vessel gradually decreases as conflicts come to a head.
Director
Alfred Hitchcock
Producer
Kenneth Macgowan
Screenwriter
Ben Hecht, John Steinbeck, Jo Swerling
Distributor
20th Century Fox, CBS/Fox, Fox
Production Co
20th Century Fox
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 11, 1944, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.37:1)
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