Had I ever wondered why this vintage Rock Hudson adventure film was not included in Universal's 3-Disc/5-film Franchise Collection dedicated to its star, the answer is now clear to me: it just is not very good. Despite a respectable pedigree – Ernest K. (ISLAND IN THE SKY, THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY) Gann adapted his own novel for the screen – and its seafaring STAGECOACH-like plot, the film never amounts to much – not even during a climax in which the decrepit vessel (commandeered by Captain Hudson who is burdened with a Lord Jim-complex) is almost lost during a storm. The characters of the crew and passengers are, likewise, all from stock: a mysterious, statuesque redhead (Cyd Charisse) with a past that falls for – and cures – our lock-jawed hero; a sleazy second-in-command (Arthur Kennedy) who, at first, undermines but eventually grows to respect his superior; initially mutinous sailors (headed by Charles McGraw) who, again, are on Hudson's side by the end of the film; a trouble-making charlatan (Leif Erickson) is redeemed by long-suppressed love for his aging prima donna; a womanizing drunkard (Richard Haydn) sparring verbally with an old priest; an aged couple (including Vladimir Sokoloff), etc. For what it is worth, Hudson also has a hairy mutt for a pet (which goes on to perish from a shark attack) and the dramas haunting the two protagonists are depicted for us via short flashback sequences.

The Dog being swallowed up by a shark was enough to give this film a big fat zero. You don't do that ever in any movie. Good grief! So Rock Hudson plays himself, a stiff, and Cyd Charise has a difficult time not being gorgeous. So if you want to watch good old Rock play a stiff and show no acting chops, then take this film in for nothing more than to look at pretty people and see a lovely sweet dog go for drink and be drunk. The story line is lame by today or yesteryear's standards. I can't figure out why this film was made in the first place. A bomb for sure. Did this film make money? I wonder but the actors were paid and I am sure they were embarrassed just to watch themselves. Yikes to this waste of time.

I guess Universal was trying to give their own Rock Hudson (a recent Oscar nominee for GIANT) a bit of a stretch. I've read the Ernest K. Gann book, and the potential was here for a good film. But in fact Arthur Kennedy would have done better as the irascible captain, while Hudson would have been better cast as the first mate. This disastrous swap squanders the promise of a well-written (Gann himself) film with a decent veteran director (Pevney).

Twilight for the Gods coul have been a good tittle for a good movie. But is just stay in a good -and incomprehensible- tittle. By another side I sorry confess I did not read author this best seller at all. May be the novel where was based the film was a excellent book but in my opinion the film is a bite long for usual spectators. May be the old sailing ship was too old and the Captain too alcoholic. Any way there are a handful of masochistic traveller gathered round this Captain who insist in travel in spite of the poor appearance. The apathetic and long hear Captain David Bell is Rock Hudson. Miss Charlotte King (an elegant, curved and glorious Cyd Charisse) is quite all right but the rest of the passage is not very interesting to do a trip by the sea with them. That is why the navigation results some long. I personally thank indeed Miss King presence with her cloudy past. The little dog is funny too. Even it likes Cyd Charisse. It means it was a really clever dog. I give 6 (but only for Cyd Charisse).