The Beachcomber (1954) Review in 2025
The Beachcomber is a 1954 British drama film directed by Muriel Box, starring Peter Finch and Daphne Anderson. The movie follows the story of a retired naval officer who becomes obsessed with a young woman he meets on the beach.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
This movie is not suitable for family viewing due to its mature themes and tragic ending.
CineReview Recommendation
This movie is worth watching for fans of drama and thriller genres, but it's not particularly memorable or impactful. It's a solid, but not outstanding, film that's worth watching once.
Spoiler Alert!
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The movie takes a dark turn when the retired naval officer's obsession with the young woman leads to a tragic event, revealing a complex web of relationships and secrets.
Review Details
story7.00/10
The story is engaging and well-paced, but it lacks depth and complexity. The plot twist is predictable, but it still manages to surprise the viewer.
acting7.00/10
The acting is solid, but it's not particularly memorable. Peter Finch delivers a strong performance as the retired naval officer, but the rest of the cast is forgettable.
characters6.00/10
The characters are well-developed, but they lack nuance and depth. The retired naval officer is a complex character, but his obsession with the young woman is not fully explored.
direction7.00/10
The direction is solid, but it lacks creativity and originality. The use of camera angles and lighting is effective, but it's not particularly noteworthy.
cinematography6.00/10
The cinematography is adequate, but it's not particularly impressive. The use of color and lighting is effective, but it's not particularly noteworthy.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The movie has a strong performance from Peter Finch, and the story is engaging and well-paced. The cinematography is adequate, and the direction is solid.
Cons
The movie lacks depth and complexity, and the characters are not particularly well-developed. The plot twist is predictable, and the ending is tragic but not particularly impactful.
Notable Quotes
"'I'm not a man of my word, I'm a man of my actions.'"
"'You're not like other women, you're like a shipwreck on the beach.'"
