The Riddle of the Sands
“In these shifting sands, men can disappear without a trace . . . and their secrets with them.”
Synopsis
In the early years of the 20th Century, two British yachtsmen (Michael York and Simon MacCorkindale) stumble upon a German plot to invade the east coast of England in a flotilla of specially designed barges. They set out to thwart this terrible scheme, but must outwit not only the cream of the German Navy, but the feared Kaiser Wilhelm himself.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
October 2, 1979
Wide Cinema Exhibition
November 20, 2007
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Tony Maylam
- Screenplay & Story
- Tony Maylam
- Original Score
- Howard Blake
- Original Title
- The Riddle of the Sands
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 43m
- Production Studios
- The Rank Organisation
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Tony Maylam
Tony Maylam, Erskine Childers
Howard Blake
Christopher Challis
Peter Hollywood
Drummond Challis
Department Leadership Roster
Drummond Challis
Producer
Howard Blake
Original Music Composer
Tony Maylam
Screenplay
Hazel Peiser
Production Design
Peter Hollywood
Editor
Tony Maylam
Director
Christopher Challis
Director of Photography
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Riddle of the Sands.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Riddle of the Sands
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Riddle of the Sands about?
In the early years of the 20th Century, two British yachtsmen (Michael York and Simon MacCorkindale) stumble upon a German plot to invade the east coast of England in a flotilla of specially designed barges. They set out to thwart this terrible scheme, but must outwit not only the cream of the German Navy, but the feared Kaiser Wilhelm himself.
Who directed The Riddle of the Sands?
The Riddle of the Sands was directed by Tony Maylam.
Who stars in The Riddle of the Sands?
The principal cast of The Riddle of the Sands includes Simon MacCorkindale, Michael York, Jenny Agutter, Alan Badel, Jürgen Andersen.
When was The Riddle of the Sands released and how long is it?
The Riddle of the Sands was released in 1979 with a total runtime of 1h 43m.
Who composed the musical score for The Riddle of the Sands?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Riddle of the Sands was composed by Howard Blake.
Is The Riddle of the Sands based on a book or true story?
The Riddle of the Sands is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Erskine Childers".
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Riddle of the Sands?
The Riddle of the Sands holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.).