I am doing a personal research on films shot in Malta. if you have got anything related to this movie, i would greatly appreciate if you conatcted me on email [email protected]. Anything is of interest including newspaper or magazine articles, rumors, behind the scenes photos etc thanks
A question I have is
1. are there really two different endings?
late reply and you may already know the answer--but yes, film was done with two endings and audiences at initial showings were offered opportunity to view both and vote for one they favored---the DVD I bought that was copied from television showing has both versions on it---when I saw this movie on televison when I was much younger--it was not called SingleHanded but Sailor of the King and only had the one ending--don't know if you have seen the movie for yourself so don't want to give both versions or the one chosed to be the final ending....
apparently from another post on other questions--this movie will released on legitimate DVD soon---my copy has fairly good video but sound is problematic...
"...That's the beauty of argument, Joey. If you argue correctly, you're never wrong..."
Have a look at my web site www.moviesmadeinmalta.com
shareIt's showing on Channel 4 (UK) this afternoon. Unfortunately I missed the start of it.
I was living in Malta at the time of filming and my father was on HMS Manxman, the Royal Navy ship that played the German cruiser Essen. I've just tried to phone my father to tell him it's showing - typically he's out...
Seeing Manxman in the role of Essen was a treat for ship buffs.
This is the only time that you will see a genuine taut-wire measuring gear as used in a mine-layer (and cable ships) for measuring distance travelled at sea with surprising accuracy.
The uniform worn by Hunter in the last scene (ending number two) must have been a Hollywood prop dept mock-up - it was totally wrong.
I recorded it on C4 the other week. Only found it was showing on the way to work. Thank God for Sling Box!
I too preferred the sadder ending, it put a completely different twist to the film. Just something that puzzles me...
WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD - Sad Ending !!
Why doesn't he react when he learns that it was his son?
He doesn't even flinch?
Do you think they changed the ending because pre-marital sex and a love child would be looked down upon during the period it was set (and when the film was released!) or was it just to cheer up British post war audiences who probaly had enough of their own real 'sad endings' only 8 years before with the real war?
"Why doesn't he react when he learns that it was his son?
He doesn't even flinch?"
Look again. Wendy Hiller never tells Michael Rennie that Hunter was his son. Maybe she will later, but never on screen.
In fact, there's no proof he is. Whilst it would be a stretch to accept that she got involved with another sailor straight after her affair with Rennie, it's not impossible - and she does have a new surname.
shareTrue, I actually think they made it a bit ambiguous because of the stigma of illegitimatcy even in the 1950's although certainly nearly every film viewer even then would presume he is Rennie's son.
It's never conclusively stated that he is Rennie's son - indeed with the "happy ending" we never know in fact that Jeffrey is Wendy's son .
In the book on which this movie is based, "("Brown on Resolution"), the sailor is shot dead by the Germans and left on the island, but only after he has decimated the German crew and delayed repairs to the German ship by about 48 hours. Brown is the sailor's name and Resolution is the name of the island in the Galapagos where the final action takes place -- thus the title.
shareI wondered about the uniform, as well. Should have worn a white jersey under his jumper, right? It occurred to me that the white jersey might not have photographed well in close up- too much contrast for Black and White photography. Curious to know what was wrong.
shareIt's possible that his RN uniform was in tatters and was replaced with castoffs from the German cruiser crew's lucky bag.
shareI BIT! And then enjoyed the laugh!
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