Set in 1931, the film takes place aboard a merchant ship, briefly harboured in South America. A young woman (Diane Cilento) boards the ship as a passenger, resulting in disharmony among the superstitious crew members. Virtuous seaman Anthony Steel protects the girl from the lecherous advances of captain Peter Finch.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Anthony SteelFirst Mate Vosper | First Mate Vosper |
 Peter FinchCaptain Lucky Ryland | Captain Lucky Ryland |
 Diane CilentoRuth Elton | Ruth Elton |
 Cyril CusackBohannon the Steward | Bohannon the Steward |
 Geoffrey KeenErnie der Bootsmann | Ernie der Bootsmann |
 Hugh GriffithPettigrew der Chefingenieur | Pettigrew der Chefingenieur |
 Duncan LamontLlewellyn 1. Offizier | Llewellyn 1. Offizier |
 Gordon JacksonTed Burns | Ted Burns |
 Patrick McGoohanMartin McIsaacs | Martin McIsaacs |
 Bryan ForbesShorty | Shorty |
 Michael CraigBurton | Burton |
 Robert BrownShane | Shane |
 Martin BensonGutierres | Gutierres |
 Michael BryantStebbings | Stebbings |
 Sam KyddSheltia | Sheltia |
 Glyn HoustonCharley Boy | Charley Boy |
| PPatrick WestwoodOglethorpe | Oglethorpe |
 George WoodbridgeYorkie | Yorkie |
| JJohn WarrenCook | Cook |
 Ian WhittakerGalley Boy | Galley Boy |
| SScott HarroldOlbey | Olbey |
| AArthur Lovegrove1st Stoker | 1st Stoker |
| LLeonard White2nd Engineer | 2nd Engineer |
 Philip RayRiver Pilot | River Pilot |
 Jim BradyShip's Crewman at Presentation | Ship's Crewman at Presentation |
| GGerald AndersenChairman | Chairman |