Floodtide is a 1949 British romantic drama film directed by Frederick Wilson and starring Gordon Jackson, Rona Anderson, John Laurie and Jimmy Logan. It was written byy George Blake, Donald B. Wilson and Frederick Wilson.
The film was one of the four of art director David Rawnsley's films that used his "independent frame" technique, a form of back projection.
Contents
Plot
A young Scotsman becomes a ship designer instead of following the family tradition and entering farming. He works his way up the firm, marries the boss's daughter, and revolutionises shipbuilding.
Cast
Gordon Jackson as David Shields
Rona Anderson as Mary Anstruther
John Laurie as Joe Drummond
Jack Lambert as Anstruther
Jimmy Logan as Tim Brogan
Janet Brown as Rosie
Elizabeth Sellars as Judy
Gordon McLeod as Pursey
Ian McLean as Sir John
Archie Duncan as Charlie Campbell
James Woodburn as John Shields
Molly Weir as Mrs. McTavish
Ian Wallace as 1st director
Alexander Archdale as 2nd director
Grace Gavin as Mrs. McCrae
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The Clydebank shipyards make an effective setting for a story which, though conventional and often absurd, at least is unpretentiously told. Thanks to capable direction and camerawork the Glasgow background is convincing, though the same can hardly be said of such details as the design for the model ship. Gordon Jackson gives a sincere performance as David Shields, with Rona Anderson as Mary. Jimmy Logan and Elizabeth Sellars in supporting parts provide the two most successful characterisations."
In The Radio Times Guide to Films David Parkinson gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "The grim grandeur of the Clyde shipyards provides the setting for this lacklustre melodrama which trades on the British docudramatic tradition while dealing in potboiling clichés. "
The Oxford Times wrote, "this is a classic town-and-country saga that is spiritedly played by an exceptional Scottish ensemble."