Martha (Original title: S/S Martha) is a 1967 Danish comedy film directed by Erik Balling and starring Ove Sprogøe. The film centres on the crew of an aging Danish tramp steamer plying the Mediterranean Sea, the SS Martha. Forgotten by the ship's owners, the eccentric crew enjoy life and indulge each others foibles - until the company's strict owner arrives, putting their carefree life in jeopardy.[1] The film enjoys a cult following, especially among mariners[2] and has inspired fan clubs in Denmark and Sweden as well as a replica restaurant in Svendborg.[3]

Martha
Directed byErik Balling
Written byHenning Bahs
Erik Balling
Preben Kaas
Produced byFrancis Carabott
Bo Christensen
StarringOve Sprogøe
CinematographyJørgen Skov
Edited byBirger Lind
Distributed byNordisk Film
Release date
  • 10 October 1967 (1967-10-10)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryDenmark
LanguageDanish

Cast

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Production

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Film makers Erik Balling and Henning Bahs searched Greek ports for a suitably old and colourful tramp steamer. They found the steamer SS Margarita, originally built in Denmark in 1927 as the SS Aslaug, laid up after a 1966 fire. Chartered from her Greek owners, the ship became the setting, and to many, the main character of the film, her final role before being scrapped after filming.[4]

References

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