Cultures Clash Over Sorrento
On a remote Scottish island named Sorrento by the naval personnel stationed there, research into a new but dangerous torpedo is going on. When one of the lead scientists is killed, US Navy scientist, Lt. Brad Bradville (Gene Kelly), and his assistants are brought in to try and complete the work on the torpedo. But with things not going as planned the tension on the island is mounting up especially as the Brits aren't happy about having brash Yanks sticking their noses in. With those in command, especially Lt. Rogert Wharton (John Justin), looking to pull the plug on the project it is all the more important for Bradville to make the weapon a success.
If you have never heard of "Crest of the Wave", or "Seagulls Over Sorrento" as it was once known, there is a good reason whilst will become obvious if you do decide to watch it. The reason is simply that the storyline is incredibly weak and is clearly stretched out making it a slow movie which takes an age to get going and then another age to deliver anything close to drama. It isn't that the idea behind "Crest of the Wave" is poor as we have an isolated island, rivalry between the Brits and the Yanks including something which happened during the war which causes further issues between two men who are connected by one woman, plus the tension over a dangerous torpedo. But the trouble is that it spends so much time milling around this situation that when it does come up with something close to action and drama it feels an after thought.
But what "Crest of the Wave" has is a good cast which sees Bernard Lee and Sidney James leading the British part and of course providing plenty of humour. But then there is also Gene Kelly who whilst this isn't the best movie to highlight his talent as a dramatic actor it certainly shows that he was more than just a dancer and it even gives him a few opportunities at some simple culture clash comedy.
What this all boils down to is that "Crest of the Wave" ends up now pretty forgettable and painfully drawn out with a slim storyline. But if does give you a chance to see Gene Kelly delivering drama whilst also sees Sidney James sharing a scene with him.
