Death Ship

Death Ship

Year: 1980

Runtime: 91 min

Language: English

Director: Alvin Rakoff

AdventureMysteryThrillerHorror

Following a shipwreck, the captain and a small crew of eight are rescued by a mysterious black ship adrift in the ocean. As they sail, they discover the vessel is haunted by a dark and unsettling history, and the crew must confront the sinister secrets of their rescuer. The survivors find themselves facing a desperate fight for survival against the ship's ominous presence and the danger it represents.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Death Ship (1980)

Trace every key event in Death Ship (1980) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Mysterious Freighter Appears

A black freighter is spotted steaming at night, seemingly deserted. It detects a nearby cruise ship and alters its course, emanating ghostly German commands to prepare for battle.

2

Collision with the Cruise Ship

Captain Ashland, on his final voyage, attempts to maneuver the cruise ship but is unable to avoid the oncoming freighter. The two vessels collide, leading to the cruise ship sinking into the ocean.

Night
3

Survivors Adrift

The following morning, a group of survivors from the sunken cruise ship, including Captain Marshall and his family, find themselves adrift on debris. They soon notice Captain Ashland surfacing nearby and salvage him aboard.

Morning Open Sea
4

Boarding the Freighter

Unaware that the black freighter is the one responsible for the attack, the survivors manage to board the eerie vessel. Chaos ensues as they struggle to help Ashland while a cable violently drags their comic friend Jackie into the depths.

Black Freighter
5

Exploring the Ghost Ship

As the survivors navigate through the empty corridors of the freighter, they find it filled with old memorabilia and cobwebs. Unexplained occurrences of hatches opening and lights flickering hint at a supernatural presence aboard.

Black Freighter
6

Ashland's Delirium

Captain Ashland succumbs to madness as he hears a ghostly voice speaking in German. This voice claims that the ship has been waiting for him and offers an opportunity to take command.

Black Freighter
7

Becoming the Captain

Under the influence of the malevolent ship, Ashland dons a German naval officer's uniform and proclaims himself the ship's captain. The survivors begin to unearth the dark history of the vessel as they uncover clues about its past.

Black Freighter
8

The Horrific Discovery

Marshall and Nick realize that the freighter was once a Nazi prison ship, filled with the spirits of its former victims. They are horrified to discover that these spirits appear intent on killing them.

Black Freighter
9

Blood Shower Incident

Lori experiences a terrifying moment when the water in her shower turns to blood, leading to a psychotic episode. In a terrifying turn, Ashland throws her overboard, intensifying the group's despair.

Black Freighter
10

Fight for Survival

A confrontation ensues between Nick and Ashland resulting in Nick falling into a net containing skeletal remains. Marshall finally confronts Ashland and stabs him, seemingly putting an end to the terror.

Black Freighter
11

Search for Escape

As they search for a means of escape, Marshall uncovers a life raft hidden among the bodies of downed airmen. This discovery raises hopes, but tension grows as they try to protect Margaret and the children.

Black Freighter
12

The Final Confrontation

In a desperate attempt to escape, Marshall battles Ashland who tries to thwart their getaway. In a dramatic twist, Ashland is crushed in the steering gear, leaving the survivors with a glimmer of hope.

Black Freighter
13

Rescue from the Sea

After a harrowing experience, the Marshalls see a search helicopter approaching. They are joyfully rescued from the ruins of the freighter, which drifts into the distance.

Open Sea
14

The Legacy of the Ship

In a chilling final scene, the freighter, now seemingly alone, continues its journey. The ghostly voices once again alert for more victims as it steams towards another unsuspecting passenger ship.

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

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Death Ship Summary

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Death Ship Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Death Ship

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Death Ship

More About Death Ship

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