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Dead Calm

5.9

9,906

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Original title

Dead Calm

Year

1989

Running time

96 min.

Country

Australia

Director

Phillip Noyce

Screenwriter

Terry Hayes. Novel: Charles Williams

Cast

Music

Graeme Revell

Cinematography

Dean Semler

Producer

Kennedy Miller Productions

Genre

Thriller. Mystery | Psychological Thriller. Sea Adventures. Sailing

Synopsis

Returning from duty with the Australian navy, John Ingram (Sam Neill) is surprised to be met by two policemen, who inform him of a car accident that has left his son dead and his wife, Rae (Nicole Kidman), injured. The grieving couple seeks refuge on their yacht, the Saracen. Out on the boat, the skies are sunny, the sea calm--but on the horizon is another vessel, the Orpheus. As John and Rae approach the ship, they find a lone survivor, Hughie Warriner (Billy Zane), who tells them that the other crew members have died of food poisoning. Leaving Rae behind with the sleeping Hughie, the suspicious John boards the Orpheus--only to be confronted with a horrifying situation.

Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce directs the film, based on a novel by Charles Williams, with great inventiveness--whether focusing on the tranquil water, the violent Hughie, the resourceful Sam, or the determined Rae with her luminous, translucent blue eyes. A suspenseful thriller reminiscent of Roman Polanskis KNIFE IN THE WATER, DEAD CALM is a chilling tale of trouble on the high seas.

Rankings Position

#112 Best Australian Movies of all time

Awards: 1989: Chicago Film Critics Awards: Nom. for Most Promising Actor (Billy Zane)

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Ranking Lists Position

51 My Favorite Australian/New Zealand Movies (11)

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Dead Calm

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