"Ship of Fools" was nominated for eight Academy Awards, but has since fallen into relative obscurity. It is chiefly remembered for being Vivien Leigh's final film (she would die two years later). While an excellent film, its strange combinations (1930s politics and 1960s hairstyles, soap opera-ish romantic subplots and telling cultural/political insights) manage to reduce its impact. I had last seen the film three years before, but before seeing it a second time I could remember only one scene: Lee Marvin sexually assaulting Leigh. And I remembered it wrong: she assaults him!
The story takes place in 1933 on a cruise ship on a voyage from Cuba to Germany. The passengers are of mixed nationalities but mostly wealthy, except for a large contingent of deported menial Spanish workers. (It isn't made clear why they would be going to Germany instead of Spain, or why a cruise ship would allow them on board). There is much prejudice shown towards these workers as well as the Jewish passengers.
"Ship of Fools" tries to be many things: a 'Love Boat' with multiple love interests and subplots, a character study, and a satire. The comedy is provided by outrageous Nazi Jose Ferrer and punch-drunk washed-up athlete Marvin. Their exaggerated racist opinions match their exaggerated characters. More interesting is the ingratiating Jewish merchant Lowenthal (Heinz Ruhmann), who is returning to Germany blissfully indifferent to the cultural changes occurring there.
There are aging, bitter women (Leigh and drug-addicted socialist Simone Signoret). There is a dwarf (Michael Dunn) who is otherwise an everyman and the most normal character on board. The ship's doctor is played by Oskar Werner, whose chronically depressed character falls for Signoret. Other unhappy romances include those of painter George Segal and Elizabeth Ashley. Also onboard are a group of predatory Spanish entertainers led by Jose Greco.
Still, the film is much better than this description would indicate. Based on Katherine Anne Porter's novel, the Abby Mann script was Oscar nominated, and manages to make the characters ironical and deep despite the discontinuities of serving an ensemble cast. Ernest Laszlo's black & white cinematography (most of the best films up to 1965 were filmed in B/W) won an Academy Award, as did the sets. "Ship of Fools" was nominated for Best Picture and received three acting nominations as well (Werner, Signoret and Dunn). (80/100)
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