Ship of Fools

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Ship of Fools

1965,

2h 23m,

Drama

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Watchlist

59%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

When an eclectic group of passengers boards a cruise ship bound for prewar Germany, they form a microcosm of 1930s society. One passenger, a mysterious countess (Simone Signoret) is headed for a German prison camp. The charming Dr. Schumann (Oskar Werner) harbors a debilitating heart condition. Then there's American divorcée Mary Treadwell (Vivien Leigh), who vainly attempts to outrun time itself. During their weeks at sea, the group forges bonds and rivalries, and unearths secrets.

William J. Nazzaro

Arizona Republic

Mar 30, 2022

For the most part, despite several extremely fine performances from a large and mostly able cast, it is mainly superficial, pretentious, and obvious.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Nov 7, 2007

Director-producer Stanley Kramer and scenarist Abby Mann have distilled the essence of Katherine Anne Porter's bulky novel in a film that appeals to the intellect and the emotions.

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Tom Milne

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

Don't look now, but as you might expect with message-mad Kramer at the helm of this adaptation of Katherine Anne Porter's novel, there's a heavy allegory aboard.

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

Aug 9, 2024

4/5

Ship of Fools is distinguished by its unusual presentation, incredible cast, and the acting of Simone Signoret and Oskar Werner.

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Elizabeth Hardwick

Vogue

Jun 20, 2023

Each scene in Ship of Fools is interesting enough. What one misses most is a sense of history, that devastation of the thirties and forties toward which the ship of fools and its cargo are steaming.

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Cameron Meier

MeierMovies.com

Sep 5, 2022

2.75/5

In the end, I agreed less with the film’s detractors and more with The New York Times’ Bosley Crowther, who called it a “powerful, ironic film [with a] wealth of reflection upon the human condition.”

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Apr 28, 2019

The best movie score ever composed!

Finn M

Feb 3, 2019

A movie that is still relevant today. So poignant in exposing human frailties and the historic trends toward prejudice and approaching war. We are still on that 'Ship of Fools.' I watch this annually as a reminder to stay awake to the unfolding of political and social tragedy. Excellent performances by Signoret, Werner, Marvin and Leigh. Loved it!

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Stanley Kramer

Director

Vivien Leigh

Mary Treadwell

Simone Signoret

La Condesa

Oskar Werner

Dr. Schumann

José Ferrer

Rieber

Lee Marvin

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Synopsis

When an eclectic group of passengers boards a cruise ship bound for prewar Germany, they form a microcosm of 1930s society. One passenger, a mysterious countess (Simone Signoret) is headed for a German prison camp. The charming Dr. Schumann (Oskar Werner) harbors a debilitating heart condition. Then there's American divorcée Mary Treadwell (Vivien Leigh), who vainly attempts to outrun time itself. During their weeks at sea, the group forges bonds and rivalries, and unearths secrets.

Director: Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter: Abby Mann
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Stanley Kramer Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 29, 1965, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 25, 2010
Runtime: 2h 23m

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