Jonathan Osborne, the 14-year-old son of widow Anne Osborne, has become involved with a group of boys led by a neo-Nietzschean sadistic boy named "Chief". Anne daydreams about her husband who died three years earlier. When a large merchant ship anchors temporarily in the harbour, Anne arranges to give her son a tour of the vessel. They meet the second officer of the ship, Jim Cameron. Jim takes a liking to both the boy and his mother. Jim and Anne become involved sexually, which throws Jonathan into a rage of jealousy. Cameron returns to sea and while he is gone, Jonathan reveals his jealous sentiment to the group leader, Chief. When Cameron comes back to renew his relationship with Anne and forsake his life on the sea, Chief and the boys concoct a sinister plot to do away with the intruder.
The movie was filmed on location in and around Dartmouth, Devon, England.[6]
Reception
John C Mahoney saw the central triangle through the prism of Greek myth: "How much Oedipal vengeance is there in his sense of betrayal by adults, his growing conviction that he must participate in a ritual to return Kristofferson to his place in the pure order of the sea and away from the corruption of his code on land? The intricate ambiguities are the substance of Sailor. Kristofferson is an uncommonly strong presence, who does not appear to try to exceed the limitations of a natural performance. Miles gives a superior performance, a pure and unsuspecting Circe sending out a sensual call".[7] However, John Simon said it was "very pretty to look at, and makes absolutely no sense".[8]
Awards
Nominee Best Actress Golden Globe award (Sarah Miles)
Nominee Best Actor Debut Golden Globe award (Jonathan Kahn)[9]
