Alexander Mackendrick directs *A High Wind in Jamaica*, a screenplay adaptation by Stanley Mann, Ronald Harwood & Denis Cannan based on Richard Hughes’ novel of the same name. The film features Anthony Quinn, James Coburn, Deborah Baxter, Lila Kedrova, Martin Amis, Dennis Price and Nigel Davenport, with music composed by Larry Adler, a song by Mike LeRoy, and cinematography by Douglas Slocombe. It's a DeLuxe Color/CinemaScope production from 20th Century Fox. The story unfolds in Jamaica during 1870 when the Thornton family takes shelter in their basement as a hurricane strikes. There they discover servants and workers performing a voodoo ceremony, which frightens Mrs. Thornton into sending her children and friends back to England for schooling away from what she considers primitive customs. During the voyage, however, the youngsters are mistakenly captured by pirates, an event that dramatically alters the lives of both captives and their captors. “He’s afraid: he says that kids bring bad luck…” Richard Hughes' novel was once part of the British school curriculum, likely prompting numerous teachers to deliver lengthy lectures. Mackendrick’s film preserves a literary quality while still providing entertainment through its intriguing plot. It’s an unusual movie; pirates and children aboard a ship suggests a Disney-like feel, but it isn't a lighthearted adventure. The pirates, led by Quinn’s spirited Chavez, are portrayed with realistic motivations and behaviors, as are the children, who aren't fearful because they haven't been taught that pirates are inherently dangerous. They simply view their time with the rough crew as an extended escapade. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and Emily (impressively played by Baxter) has a particularly captivating effect on Chavez. However, his right-hand man Zac (effectively portrayed by Coburn) senses potential problems, and soon the crew begins to worry about the long-term consequences of having the children aboard. It’s clear that something negative will result from this unusual pairing of youth and pirates, and it's then, during the final third of the film, that Hughes’ literary themes begin to emerge. Mackendrick skillfully weaves emotional and psychological elements into the narrative, raising questions about the power of innocence, which when confronted with guilt creates a moral emptiness that concludes the movie (though not the novel) on an unsettling note. The film is visually striking, thanks to Slocombe's excellent "Scope" photography, and Adler’s score has an otherworldly quality appropriate for the story’s haunting nature. The Fox Region 1 DVD release is double-sided, offering a choice of full frame or widescreen; those with larger televisions should opt for widescreen, although the print isn't in perfect condition. Upon its initial release, the film received a lukewarm response, many viewers unsure of what they had just seen or disappointed by the lack of a traditional swashbuckling adventure. This uncertain reception explains why the film has largely been forgotten and rarely shown on television, making it quite obscure. It deserves more attention; it’s exceptionally well-made and offers a compelling exploration of human characteristics. 8/10

Source on TMDB