Dead Calm

Last night, I had the chance to revisit a terrific Australian thriller that I haven't seen in roughly twenty years, 1989's Dead Calm. Here's my thoughts.

After a tragedy occurs for a married couple, Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman, the two decide to take their yacht to the high seas to give them time to grieve and cope. While on their voyage, they come across a sinking ship with one lone survivor, Billy Zane. He tells them that the rest of his crew has died from food poisoning. They allow him on board, even though both are suspicious of the odd man. While he rests, Neill decides to row out to the vessel to investigate. Once on board he discovers that the other shipmates have been murdered. Before he can get back to his yacht, Zane awakens and kidnaps Kidman and steals the yacht, leaving Neill trapped on the quickly sinking ship. The couple must use their survival skills to put an end to Zane's reign of terror and to be reunited.

This is one intense, thrill ride of a flick. Director Phillip Noyce does a great job of amping up the tension. He had some help with this from producer George Miller. Miller is no stranger to edge of your seat thrills. He directed all of the films in the Mad Max series. Orson Welles was actually intending to make this movie before his death.

The three leads are well cast and do a terrific job. Kidman's performance even caught the attention of Tom Cruise, who suggested her for her role in Days Of Thunder. The score from Graaeme Revell is haunting and the movie is beautifully edited by Richard Francis Bruce.

Dead Calm is a terrific thriller deserving to be rediscovered.

It's available on dvd and blu ray.