A lightweight and weak story line, cliched dialogue, and then combine it with mediocre acting from the two female stars, makes this a tedious and underwhelming film drama that never gets out of second gear! The other problem is that too many of the characters are one dimensional and so it fails to attract the interest of the audience. John Ireland, the usual tough film guy, was badly miscast, playing a very unconvincing swimming coach. The villain of the piece, Derek Bond, plays the usual, middle class smarmy cad type, leading a double life, but all too predictably gets his come uppance. Joy Webster, who plays Kitty, shows little emotion throughout the film, never really engaging with the role of the mistress in a marriage triangle. She looks great in a swimsuit but her wooden acting crushes any potential interest in the story. This was a very disappointing film, perhaps watched simply for views of Dover in the 1950's and ladies swimwear! I can't recommend this film.
Review of Black Tide
