The Ship That Died of Shame, released in 1955, was directed by Basil Dearden and starred Richard Attenborough, George Baker, and Bill Owen. The film follows three former Royal Navy sailors who band together to purchase their former motor gunboat, H.M.S. Ballantrae, after it is decommissioned and sold off.
However, with little opportunity for employment in post-WWII Britain, the crew decides to use the boat for a more profitable venture - smuggling. They begin transporting contraband goods, such as cigarettes and alcohol, from France to England and soon become successful in their illegal enterprise.
Despite their financial success, the crew begins to feel the weight of their criminal activities and the moral dilemma it presents. They struggle to maintain their dignity and sense of right and wrong while also fulfilling their financial obligations.
Things take a dark turn when they are approached by a powerful criminal mastermind who wants to use their boat to transport high-stakes contraband across the English Channel. The crew hesitantly agrees, but soon finds themselves in over their heads and in grave danger.
The film addresses themes of morality and the consequences of ethical compromise. It also serves as a commentary on post-war economic hardship and the lengths people will go to in order to make a living. The Ship That Died of Shame is a poignant and suspenseful drama that underscores the destructive nature of greed and corruption.