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When Eight Bells Toll poster
5.7 / 10(62 votes)IMDbPG19711h 34m$5.4M Worldwide GrossUnited Kingdom

When Eight Bells Toll

“Danger runs deeper than the sea bed!”

Synopsis

Phillip Calvert is a British Treasury secret service agent assigned to stop the ruthless pirating of millions in gold bullion off the western coast of the Scottish highlands. His search takes him to the small port town of Torbay on the Isle of Torbay where numerous fishing boats, yachts and people have been mysteriously disappearing. A trail of deceit and subterfuge leads him to Cypriot tycoon and shipping magnate Sir Anthony Skouras and his beautiful wife, Charlotte aboard their luxury yacht anchored off the coast, who may hold the answers to the truth.

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Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes

Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.

1971 TrailerOfficial

Type: Trailer • Published 2018-05-09

Release History & Theatrical Window

World Premiere

London, Premiere

Festival / Special Debut

Theatrical Premiere

May 26, 1971

Wide Cinema Exhibition

Financials & Box Office Performance

ReleasedBlockbuster Success (3x ROI)

Production Budget

$1.8M

Filming & production cost

Worldwide Gross

$5.4M

Total global ticket sales

Box Office Return

3x

+$3.6M net gain

Theatrical Status

Mega Hit

Box office tier

Budget: $1.8MWorldwide: $5.4M

Key Information & Fast Facts

Director
Étienne Périer
Screenplay & Story
Alistair MacLean
Original Score
Angela Morley
Original Title
When Eight Bells Toll
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Spoken Languages
English
Runtime
1h 34m
Production Budget
$1.8M
Worldwide Gross
$5.4M
Production Studios
Winkast Film Productions, Jerry Gershwin-Elliott Kastner, J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors

Creative Leadership & Key Crew

Director

Étienne Périer

Screenplay & Story

Alistair MacLean

Original Score & Music

Angela Morley

Director of Photography

Arthur Ibbetson

Film Editing

John Shirley

Producers

Elliott Kastner

Literary Origin & Source Material
Novel:Alistair MacLean

Department Leadership Roster

Étienne Périer

Étienne Périer

Director

Arthur Ibbetson

Director of Photography

John Shirley

Editor

Sue Yelland

Costume Design

Elliott Kastner

Elliott Kastner

Producer

Angela Morley

Angela Morley

Original Music Composer

Age Classification & Content Advisories

Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.

Primary: PG

PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.

International Certification Matrix

Germany (FSK)16

FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.

United Kingdom (BBFC)PG

Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.

United States (MPAA)PG

Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.

Official cinematic photography and background stills for When Eight Bells Toll.

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Frequently Asked Questions About When Eight Bells Toll

Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.

What is When Eight Bells Toll about?

Phillip Calvert is a British Treasury secret service agent assigned to stop the ruthless pirating of millions in gold bullion off the western coast of the Scottish highlands. His search takes him to the small port town of Torbay on the Isle of Torbay where numerous fishing boats, yachts and people have been mysteriously disappearing. A trail of deceit and subterfuge leads him to Cypriot tycoon and shipping magnate Sir Anthony Skouras and his beautiful wife, Charlotte aboard their luxury yacht anchored off the coast, who may hold the answers to the truth.

Who directed When Eight Bells Toll?

When Eight Bells Toll was directed by Étienne Périer.

Who stars in When Eight Bells Toll?

The principal cast of When Eight Bells Toll includes Anthony Hopkins, Robert Morley, Nathalie Delon, Jack Hawkins, Corin Redgrave.

When was When Eight Bells Toll released and how long is it?

When Eight Bells Toll was released in 1971 with a total runtime of 1h 34m.

What was the box office and production budget of When Eight Bells Toll?

When Eight Bells Toll had a reported production budget of $1.8M and grossed $5.4M at the worldwide box office (3 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).

Who composed the musical score for When Eight Bells Toll?

The original motion picture soundtrack for When Eight Bells Toll was composed by Angela Morley.

Is When Eight Bells Toll based on a book or true story?

When Eight Bells Toll is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Alistair MacLean".

What is the age rating and content advisory for When Eight Bells Toll?

When Eight Bells Toll holds official age classifications: DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); GB: PG (Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).