MovieChat Forums > Ghostboat (2006) Discussion > Average at best.

Average at best.

posted 18 years ago by stevedox
12 replies | jump to latest

For one of ITV's most expensive Drama's ever made, for four years in production, and starring David Jason, this really wasn't very good at all.

The storey was weak, very weak. Full of holes, and more importantly predictable to the core.

Now we all pride ourselves on second guessing films and figuring it out before it happened, but not so much as i didn't even need to see the 2nd part!

I'm not sure if in the last 4 weeks i've seen two classic Sub films in 'Hunt for Red October' & 'Crimson Tide' had any effect on my judgement, but to be honest, i'd rather ITV had shown them back to back, i'd have been more pleased.

I very very rarely watch ITV or BBC drama's as usually its a total waste of time, this wasn't, and its still worth the watch, but only if you couldn't find anything else on the box.

For its budget and length of time in production, ITV must be dissapointed, i know i am.

5/10

[–] schmidt_haus 18 years ago

Yeah I agree, thought it was average. The missus hates "spooky" shows but is a big D Jason fan so wanted to watch it, she said that she was spooked and even dreampt about it after the first part was shown. For me I've seen much scarier shows such as X Files, Kingdom Hospital, Neighbours... ;o)

Didn't know that it had been so long in production, really didn't look like 4 years had gone into it.

Still credit to ITV for breaking away from the usual formulaic stuff, shame it had to be into another formulaic plot.

[–] NForest 18 years ago

I too am amazed it was four years in production. I thought the first part set things up very nicely and was quite well played and atmospheric, but the second part was appalling...as if they ran out of money and plot. Nothing properly explained. I took a risk on watching an ITV drama and disappointly yet again it was star turns given nothing of note to do.

"I was playing the RIGHT notes...just not necessarily in the right order"

[–] stevedox 18 years ago

I really think if it wasn't for David Jason if wouldn't have been made at all.

I certainly wouldn't have watched it, but the guys a legend.

If i did i wouldn't have watched the second part, even though the 1st part was much better!

But yes credit to ITV for doing something different, but so much more could have been done with it, especially at the price & length it took to make.

[–] cragtek 18 years ago

ITV dramas are just poor to the core these days. 'Ghostboat' is the best thing to have come along since 'The Last Train', but, frankly, it's average at best as stevedox points out.

I was surprised to read that this had been in production for four years. The way it was screenplayed, you'd think it had been done in two weeks.

Not awful, but considering the lengthly production time/costs a very poor return for ITV. ITV, BBC - sort it out, please.

[–] lucretia_flame 18 years ago

Oh, somebody remembers "The Last Train"? Ah... memories.

I also felt it was rather average. I'm a David Jason fan but did feel let down. I keep thinking if they made the boat have a more clastrophobic feel and reminded us that we are underwater, it would have worked better.

"We're all in the gutter - but some of us are looking at the stars" - Oscar Wilde

[–] cragtek 18 years ago

Oh yes, "The Last Train" was great (apart from a couple of dodgy moments) In fact, I have it on my computer.

[–] stevedox 18 years ago

I thought the Last Train was great (although i would have been only young when it came out), but i sort of tailed off and i think i missed the final couple of episodes.

I saw up to where the main woman, short brown hair IIRC got to her destination, and everyone was dead.

Was that the end, or did i miss something?

[–] jenniferles1000 15 years ago

I enjoyed kept me watching for the full 3 hours not great but ive seen a lot worse i thought Jason was excellent. I am a bit surprised it took four years though.

[–] mark6785 15 years ago

wow all these threads from 2006!
its like some kind of history repeating itself timewarp type deal.

oh the irony

I thought it was pretty good.
no pleasing some people

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 14 years ago

Even though I agree with what you wrote sometimes "full of holes" is the best one can get.

When you're green, you're growing, but when you're ripe, you rot.

[–] Royalcourtier 8 years ago

I agree. An interesting idea, and significant resources. But badly made: A poor script, unintelligent plot, overly modern political correctness, and bad CGI. British movies are not what they used to be.

[–] bazt-93964 8 years ago

You're clueless pal