Morituri main backdrop
Morituri main poster

6.8/10 • 82

1965-08-242h 3m

ActionDramaThrillerWar

Must mean something unusual

A German living in India during World War II is blackmailed by the English to impersonate an SS officer on board a cargo ship leaving Japan for Germany carrying a large supply of rubber for tyres. His mission is to disable the scuttling charges so the captain cannot sink the ship if they are stopped by English warships.

Directors
Bernhard Wicki
Writters
Daniel Taradash
Editors
Daniel Taradash, Joseph Silver

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Marlon Brando

    Marlon Brando

    Robert Crain

  2. Yul Brynner

    Yul Brynner

    Captain Müller

  3. Janet Margolin

    Janet Margolin

    Esther

  4. Trevor Howard

    Trevor Howard

    Colonel Statter

  5. Martin Benrath

    Martin Benrath

    Kruse

  6. Hans Christian Blech

    Hans Christian Blech

    Donkeyman

  7. Wally Cox

    Wally Cox

    Dr. Ambach

  8. Max Haufler

    Max Haufler

    Branner

  9. Rainer Penkert

    Rainer Penkert

    Milkereit

Reviews2

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Wuchak Avatar

Wuchak

Jan 1, 2019

7/10

WWII suspense/drama about a freighter in the Pacific with Brando and Brynner A German expatriate pacifist (Marlon Brando) is forced to pose as an SS Standard Leader for the purpose of disabling the scuttling charges on a merchant ship carrying rubber vital to the German war effort. Yul Brynner plays the disillusioned captain (Mueller), Martin Benrath the gun-ho first officer (Kruse), Janet Margolin an abused Jewess captive (Esther) and Hans Christian Blech a notable crewman (Donkeyman). Released in 1965 and unfortunately shot in B&W, “Morituri” is a suspense/drama taking place almost entirely on the freighter in the Pacific. The first 50 minutes are kinda meh as “Mr. Kyle” (Brando) sneaks around the ship disabling explosives and it’s not very believable. From there, though, the dramatics get interesting as suspense builds to an unexpected climax. Margolin’s character is desirable, but sad. The inscrutable title comes from the Latin morituri te salutant meaning “We who are about to die salute you.” At the end of the day “Morituri” is a must for fans of Brando or Brynner, not to mention those interested in 60’s WWII flicks. While not great, it’s a worthwhile antidote to modern blockbuster drivel (speaking as someone who enjoys a CGI-laden blockbuster now and then). The film runs 2 hours, 3 minutes. GRADE: B/B-

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  • Morituri poster
  • Morituri poster
  • Morituri poster
  • Morituri poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
mutinydrowningsubmarinesecret missionworld war iifogconvoycargo shipanti warjewish girlmerchant marinedisarmnazi saboteursdemolition expertindia rubbership hornabandon shipstop enginesstarfish islandlard