Deadly Voyage (1996)
Grade: 61
"Deadly Voyage" is an HBO made-for-TV production. Most people would consider the movie unwatchable due to its grisly themes. I can't say that I enjoyed the film, but it made for compelling viewing. 'Intense' is perhaps the best adjective. By the end of the film, however, the story loses some credibility, even if it is based on true events.
Omar Epps stars as Kingsley Ofusu, an African who is a stowaway on a Russian ship bound for France. Along with eight other stowaways, he is looking for a better life in a western country. Meanwhile, France is seeking to curtail illegal immigration, and fines shipping companies $45,000 for every stowaway that they unwittingly bring.
The stowaways are detected by the crew while the ship is en route to France. The weak-willed captain (Joss Ackland) wants to treat them humanely, but gives in to his scheming, ambitious officer Ion (Sean Pertwee) who prefers murdering them and dumping their bodies overboard. Complicating matters, a suspicious, unfriendly inspector (David Suchet) representing the shipping company is on board. The slaughtering must take place without the inspector's knowledge.
What follows is a storyline similar to teen-oriented slasher films, except the hunters are Russian sailors, and the hunted are African stowaways. It is clear that racial hatred plays a role in the murders, and only those with strong stomachs will be able to finish this tense, humorless film.
What is the message of "Deadly Voyage"? It is Macbethian: amoral personal ambition left unchecked can lead to the most evil actions. A human life is worth far more than any governmental fine. Hopefully, the government of France has since lowered the fines.
kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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