Fury at Smugglers' Bay

source: Fury at Smugglers' Bay

Fury at Smugglers' Bay

When the wreckers start operating in his local community, it falls to "Squire Trevenyan" (Peter Cushing) to try to stop this ruthless and brutal crime. Thing is, though, when his son "Christopher" (John Fraser) returns home one night with details of who is doing what to whom, his father is suddenly nervous, compromised - but why? Is it just because the lad has a crush on "Louise" (Michèle Mercier) or because he is afraid of her brute of a father "Black John" (Bernard Lee). Anyway, time to send for the Redcoats! It's a standard adventure film this with little jeopardy or anything new as it sails, predictably, towards it's conclusion. Some of the foliage looks a bit out of place - not sure we have palm trees here in the UK, but Cushing still has a little of the charisma needed and Lee makes for a good rumbustious brigand. Though I don't think i will ever recall it, I like the genre and I quite enjoyed this light-weight and busky costume drama.

This entertaining adventure drama about smuggling in late 18th century is somehow betrayed by its low budget, more evident in the ship wrecking scenes, under furious storms. It tells the story of a British coastal town laden with taxes, where almost everybody has turn to smuggling to make ends meet. The action never stops with good rhythm and precise dialogue, and the enjoyment is evident in the actors' faces. All the cast is very effective, with Peter Cushing as a magistrate with a secret that haunts him, Bernard Lee as the villain before playing M to Sean Connery's James Bond, John Fraser as a dashing young swordsman and William Franklyn as a highwayman that becomes a hero. With pretty Michèle Mercier as the love interest, June Thorburn as Cushing's daughter and Liz Fraser in one of her best early roles as waitress-spy, this is one of John Gilling's best contributions to period drama.