Floodtide

For the 1950 novel by Frank Yerby, see Floodtide (novel).

Floodtide is a 1949 British romantic drama film directed by Frederick Wilson and starring Gordon Jackson, Rona Anderson, John Laurie and Jimmy Logan.^[1][2]

Floodtide
Original pressbook
Directed by	Frederick Wilson
Written by	George Blake Donald B. Wilson Frederick Wilson
Produced by	Donald B. Wilson
Starring	Gordon Jackson Rona Anderson John Laurie Jimmy Logan
Cinematography	George Stretton
Edited by	Peter Bezencenet
Music by	Robert Irving
Production company	Aquila Film
Distributed by	General Film Distributors (UK)
Release dates	15 March 1949 (1949-03-15) (London, UK)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The film was one of the four of David Rawnsley's films that used his "independent frame" technique, a form of back projection.^[3]

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."^[4]

The Radio Times wrote, "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".^[5]

The Oxford Times wrote, "this is a classic town-and-country saga that is spiritedly played by an exceptional Scottish ensemble."^[6]