Lifeboat is one of the few Hitchock films that has just flown under the radar for a long time that I finally just decided to sit down and watch it. And honestly, it's a film that has flown under the radar for decades, probably due to the success of his later films. It manages to present interesting racial and societal stereotypes in a refreshing way, something that in 1944, was highly controversial. But luckily, for the most part Lifeboat doesn't let stereotypes drive the plot. It tells a story full of twists and turns, all told on one small boat after a deadly shipwreck. Great performances and a tight direction from Hitchcock give the film a ton of life (pun intended), and still relevant to this day.7.3/10

Nicely done presentation of a rescue scenario at sea with its own characteristics namely different personalities, problems and for a nice touch, we are at war too! The stars of this movie bring it to life thus Life in the boat or Lifeboat! Hitchcock kept it interesting with his directing and what unfolds is believable and entertaining. There are plots known and unknown at work which keeps us involved as it unravels slowly allowing the viewer to take it in quite nicely. Then, things happen and we watch how this group rises or falls to the occasion. There is nothing like a good ole fashioned emergency to bring out what is hidden as well as the best in all of us. This is that movie. You will find each character interesting and how they all share the common as well as what they have going on personally. What makes this all work is that it is not real as in filmed on location and in the actually sea but only duplicated as what could have happened thus this particular story minus the sunburn, seas sickness, lack of food and water, etc a la Hollywood. I have read many accounts of people lost at sea and those stories are unforgiving and involve life and death. Still, there is a touch of that at work here too. I was pleased when I found out that John Steinbeck of the Grapes of Wrath fame did the writing. He knows how to make and capture a personal story using everyday people. In Hitchcock's hands, it is put to the testing and it holds up quite well. At some point, ask yourself what made them all relax after a while? Sharing close quarters for lengths of time does that with people. Remember also that everyone has to go potty too and that makes us all human right off. Good snack movie here with a decent ending too. Enjoy

Stranded on a lifeboat after their ship is torpedoed by a German U- boat, a group of survivors find themselves torn between what to do after rescuing one of the Germans who sank their ship in this wartime thriller from Alfred Hitchcock. With lots of talk and a single location, 'Lifeboat' moves rather slow at first with some very obvious moral dilemmas; "we're on our own; we can make our own laws," one of them claims. Things become more twisted and intense in the second half though, beginning with a surprise revelation regarding the mysterious German, played perfectly by Walter Slezak. In fact, the entire second half of the film is rather riveting once the intriguing Slezak becomes a point of focus (none of the other characters are particularly remarkable) and the film ends on a strong note. The final scene is a little on the didactic side, but it is relatively brief and for a film with a clear anti-Nazi agenda, 'Lifeboat' offers a near balanced portrayal of the Germans at its best. The basic story (by John Steinback) has a refreshingly timeless quality to it too, with ideas in terms of trusting 'the enemy' and the uncertainty posed by wartime conditions coming across as fairly universal themes (see also George Seaton's 'The Hook' and 'The Long and the Short and the Tall'). Beneath the surface of Allied vs Axis tensions, there lies here a human tale here of trust, mistrust and desperation in adverse conditions.

LIFEBOAT is extremely tense and provocative film. All the action is concentrated in the title of the film. It is fascinating that at any point the lifeboat is not out of the frame. It is the means of salvation and support for the people in it. People caught in the clash of thought and belief, on the edge between life and death.When in one place unexpectedly gather people of different character, attitudes and social status, then their characteristics dictate the new situation. In this case, the war accident. Hitchcock was with a little parody presented resourcefulness and sense in seemingly hopeless situation. When his own feelings suppressed sense and resourcefulness then you are in danger. In this case the feelings provoke anger. The blood is paid with blood. I'm kidding of course. It's simple, the heat of the moment people do not think. The consequences come with a peacefulness.Any rescue in this case is not a product nor reason nor resourcefulness. I think that the people in the boat in any case doomed. Spas is a mere coincidence. It is interesting that the time in which their life was hanging by a thread quickly forgotten.Lifeboat is technically excellent film. Very exciting sea drama. Acting does not leave you breathless, but not bad either.Tallulah Bankhead as Constance "Connie" Porter is sly trifler. A woman who takes care of themselves and each situation trying to get you to your advantage. If necessary, she will fall in love with. She is an actress who captures the appearance. In this case the dominant over others. Master of black humor. Walter Slezak as Kapitan Willi is one perfidious villain, commander of submarine interesting name Willy, with the cunning and intelligence put in the category of perfect movie villains. Officer's masterpiece, subtly playing with seemingly superior 'hosts' experienced its culmination in the film finale. Cunning and brutal character of the other hand is actually practical, brave and resolute in its intention. One moment of human madness and anger can not be no one to resist.The story of trust and betrayal and manipulation is well-designed. Black humor in large quantities is followed by constant voltage. It is unfortunate that with certain illogical, movie finally got propaganda note. However, the damage was not so big.