Western Front Association - U.S. Branch - Movie Review of the Riddle of the Sands

THE RIDDLE OF THE SANDS (1998). VHS NTSC format (U.S. and Canada only; PAL format for Europe); from a book of the same title by Erskine Childers published in 1903 by Penguin USA; by Bennett Media Corp. studio; ASIN: 0141181656; about $24. Running time: 100 minutes. Reviewed in 2004 by Jim Minnoch, rating the film:

, and Steve Leavenworth, who also rated the film

. They can be reached at jemcam@comcast.net.

This is an excellent spy/mystery story It is a British story that takes place just after the death of King Edward VII at a time when Europe was becoming powerfully militarized, preparing as it seems for war. It also is a fine yachting story of two lower-upperclass Englishmen acquaintances, Carruthers (Michael York, 1942- , a leading English actor) and Davies (Simon MacCorkindale, 1952- , British leading man and producer) who are sailing a small yacht off the Frisian coast of Germany. Davies has encouraged club gentleman Carruthers, a clerk in the Foreign Office, to join him on the sailboat for a bit of fall sailing; the adjustment to sailboat living is at first intolerable to him. The object is to confirm Davies suspicions that a German salvage project is not what it appears to be; something sinister is happening as they uncover clues to a war project.

Erskine Childers: Boer War Veteran,
Successful Author, Doomed Politician

Those who like the sea in small boats will, quite naturally, be keen on this well-photographed film. At one point, even the Kaiser comes to observe the baffling project. The acting is superb and the viewer is kept glued to the screen as the mystery unfolds. It is suspenseful entertainment at its best, with the backdrop of the coming of the Great War. Highly recommended.

Created: 12 April 2004

Erskine Childers: Boer War Veteran, Successful Author, Doomed Politician

Erskine Childers: Boer War Veteran,
Successful Author, Doomed Politician