When Eight Bells Toll – 1970 | 94 mins | Adventure | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Director Etienne Perier’s slow-paced thriller with convoluted double-crosses galore fails to grip despite a strong cast, including Anthony Hopkins, Robert Morley and Jack Hawkins. Based on a novel by Alistair MacLean.

A Navy intelligence agent, Calvert (Anthony Hopkins), and his assistant Hunslett (Corin Redgrave), are ordered by their superior to pose as marine biologists and investigate the activities of modern-day pirates looting gold bullion from shipping in the Irish Sea. The trail leads Calvert to a small Scottish port and the yacht of a Greek shipping tycoon Sir Anthony Skouras (Jack Hawkins) anchored off the coast. The locals are less than helpful and there has been a spate of unexplained deaths in the region, but single-minded Calvert is determined to uncover the smugglers whatever the risks.