Beneath the 12-Mile Reef

• Robert Wagner: Tony
• Terry Moore: Gwyneth
• Gilbert Roland: Mike
• Peter Graves: Arnold
• Richard Boone: Thomas
• Harry Carey Jr.: Handle
• Jacques Aubuchon: Demetrios Sofotes
• Angela Clarke: Mother Petrakis
• Gloria Gordon: Penny

The Höllenriff is an American adventure film made in 1953 by Robert D. Webb.

Action

A native of Greece Petrakis family lives from diving for sea sponges before Tarpon Springs in Florida. Father and son Mike Tony go with the team of their boat " Aegli " sea while mother and daughter Penny Petrakis take care of the household. Mike has borrowed money from Demetrios Sofotes, which is now on repayment. Mike and his team mourn not only their disappointing catch quotas. Your competition from the boat "Helios" drives a rich harvest which they have brought from the dangerous " Höllenriff ".

In a church ceremony, which is held on the fishing boats, Tony wins a diving competition. He and his family are blessed. Tony wrestles his father from the promise to be able to dive at the next tour itself. Mike believes that the areas have been harvested near the coast. He drives his boat to Key West, where many Greek fishermen live. In fact, the next fishing the " Aegli " is very good. However, two Americans, Arnold Dix and Griff Rhys, the team extort the surrender of the sponges, as they threaten to cut Mike's air hose. Tony and the team give out the catch. Mike leaves the " Aegli " drive to Key West to there ostensibly due to their big catch to celebrate Tony, meanwhile, is looking after the criminals and meets Gwyneth, Arnold's girlfriend. The two fall in love. After a fight with Tony Arnold flees with Gwyneth in a park. Mike Arnold can defeat in a fight, forcing him to eat his cigar.

The next trip is to make the " Aegli " on Höllenriff. But it comes to a tragic diving accident in which Mike suffers decompression sickness and dies on her. While Tony mourns, Arnold and handle loot the " Aegli " while other American diver involve his uncle Socrates in a scuffle. The " Aegli " catches fire and is almost destroyed. Gwyneth takes to her father with Tony Thomas. The father is a just man and tells Arnold and his fellows for the stolen sponges to pay. Angrily attacks Tony Arnold and hurt him. Tony manages to reach the docks. Gwyneth and he steal a boat, the " Conch ". They begin to appear on Höllenriff by sponges. Arnold and his men find the two, however, soon. Between Tony and Arnold there is a fist fight in which they land in the water. Arnold gets into seaweed and threatens to drown. Tony saves him. The two bury their enmity. Gwyneth wants to marry Tony, the two families prepare the wedding feast.

Criticism

The lexicon of the International film describes the film as " a sympathetic adventure story, intertwined with a love and jealousy drama that lives mainly from the impressive underwater shots. "

The film magazine Cinema about the film: " As one of the first CinemaScope productions in the film caused by its underwater images stir (Oscar - nominated cinematographer ). However, the dialogues fell slightly watery. "

The Variety praises the camera work, but at the same time criticized the lack of effectiveness of the director in the leadership of his young cast.

Even Bosley Crowther of The New York Times is impressed with the camera work, especially in the underwater shots. But the story of the film he describes as banal and trite.

Awards

1954 Edward Cronjager in the category of Best Cinematography (color) was nominated for an Oscar. Another nomination there was at the International Film Festival in Cannes in the same year for the Grand Prix du Festival.

Background

The premiere took place on 2 December 1953. In Germany the film was first published on April 13, 1954.

The film was shot at the original locations Tarpon Springs and Key West.

Designer Lyle R. Wheeler was responsible for the equipment. In the original version of Rock Hudson can be heard as a speaker who describes the first underwater shots.

The film can be downloaded in the public domain and freely available on the internet.