Is Ghost Ship Based on a True Story, Its Review
by Janani
Updated May 22, 2023
Ghost Ship
Ghost Ship is a horror film released in 2002, directed by Steve Beck. The movie features an ensemble cast that includes Gabriel Byrne, Julianna Margulies, Ron Eldard, Desmond Harrington, Isaiah Washington, and Karl Urban. Set in the Bering Sea, the story revolves around a marine salvage crew who stumble upon a mysterious ocean liner that vanished in 1962. Despite sharing the same title, the film has no connection to the 1952 film of the same name.
Ghost Ship was filmed in Queensland, Australia, as well as Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It premiered in North America on October 25, 2002, and while it received mostly negative reviews from critics, it achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $68 million worldwide. The film's atmospheric setting and supernatural elements captivated audiences, contributing to its box office triumph.
Is Ghost Ship Based on a True Story?
Ghost Ship is based on a true incident. The Zebrina was a ghost ship that sailed the Atlantic during the early 20th century, particularly during the final years of World War I. Originally built as a trading vessel for the River Plate in South America in 1873, the ship was later used for coastal trade in Europe starting in 1881. Despite being considered a lucky vessel, Zebrina met a tragic fate.
In October 1917, the Zebrina set sail from Falmouth to Saint-Brieuc, carrying a cargo of coal. However, it never reached its destination. Just two days after departure, the ship was found stranded on the shores of Rozel, south of Cherbourg, France. While there was no significant damage to the ship except for some rigging disarrangement, the entire crew had vanished. It was speculated that the Zebrina had been attacked by a U-boat, and the crew was taken prisoner.
However, there is still speculation regarding the fate of the crew. Some argue that it was unusual for U-boats to take prisoners, and there were no records of the attack found after the war. Alternative theories suggest that the crew may have been lost during a squall or that the U-boat responsible for the attack sank shortly after.
After running ashore, the Zebrina was salvaged and converted into a coal hulk between 1928 and 1930. It was later transformed back into a schooner and used for coal transportation along the English coast. Unfortunately, the ship caught fire between Blyth and Truro, rendering it unfit for further use. The hull of the Zebrina remained exposed in Velder Creek for several years until it was eventually set ablaze in 1953.
Ghost Ship Review
"Ghost Ship" follows the familiar tropes of haunted house movies, but its unique setting on an abandoned ocean liner almost saves it from being entirely predictable. The film showcases classic elements such as doors opening by themselves to reveal corpses, unexpected appearances of characters, and objects frozen in time. However, instead of a typical haunted house, these eerie occurrences take place on the Antonia Graza, an Italian luxury liner that vanished during a 1962 voyage to America and has now resurfaced in the Bering Strait after 40 years. A salvage crew, led by Gabriel Byrne and Julianna Margulies, embarks on a dangerous mission to claim the valuable prize.
"Ghost Ship" takes the familiar elements of haunted house movies and breathes new life into them with its unique setting—a haunted ocean liner. The film follows a salvage crew as they explore the Antonia Graza, a luxurious ship that disappeared in 1962 and reappears after 40 years in the Bering Strait. Doors open on their own, revealing haunting scenes, and the crew faces a struggle between greed and survival.
As the crew delves into the abandoned ship, the art direction and photography create an eerie and captivating atmosphere reminiscent of documentaries about the Titanic. The film's mystery unfolds gradually, providing some answers but leaving room for interpretation, leading to a twist in the end that encourages viewers to reconsider the events and symbolism.
While "Ghost Ship" doesn't break new ground in the horror genre, it offers an intriguing premise and delivers solid technical execution. The film's strongest aspect lies in its atmospheric journey rather than its final climax. With its haunting ambiance and memorable visuals, it can be a worthwhile watch for those seeking a chilling experience.
How to Watch Ghost Ship Movie Online?
You can watch Ghost Ship movies on Netflix, Hotstar, Voot, and Jio Cinema. Here are the simple steps to watch the Ghost Ship Movie Online on Netflix.
To access Netflix on your TV, follow these steps:
- Open Netflix on your TV and select the Sign In option.
- From the bottom right corner, choose the Sign In with Phone option.
- On your computer, open a web browser and navigate to netflix.com/tv8.
- Enter the sign-in code displayed on your TV, and then click Continue.
- Finally, click Start Watching to sign in and start enjoying Netflix on your TV.
To access Disney+ Hotstar follow these steps:
- To begin, launch the Disney+ Hotstar app on your device.
- Locate the hamburger menu positioned at the top left corner of the app and select the "Log in" option.
- Enter your phone number or choose the "Have a Facebook/Email Account" option.
- If you select the latter, provide your email ID and password, or alternatively, choose to log in with your Facebook account based on your preferred login method.
Where to Watch Ghost Ship?
You can watch Ghost Ship on Jio Cinema. Here are the simple steps to log in to the Jio Cinema.
- To get started, download and install the JioTV app on your Android or iOS smartphone from the appropriate app store.
- Launch the app and choose the Jio ID option instead of the Jio Number. Enter your Jio ID and password in the provided fields.
Is Ghost Ship Based on a True Story - FAQs
Yes, "Ghost Ship" is based on a true incident involving the Zebrina, a ship that sailed the Atlantic during the early 20th century. The Zebrina disappeared in 1917, and its crew was never found.
"Ghost Ship" was filmed in Queensland, Australia, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
"Ghost Ship" follows a marine salvage crew who discovers an abandoned ocean liner, the Antonia Graza, in the Bering Sea. The ship disappeared in 1962 and reappeared after 40 years. As the crew explores the ship, they encounter supernatural occurrences and must confront the struggle between greed and survival.
"Ghost Ship" received mostly negative reviews from critics but achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $68 million worldwide. The film's atmospheric setting and supernatural elements captivated audiences and contributed to its box-office triumph.
You can watch "Ghost Ship" on streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hotstar, Voot, and Jio Cinema. To watch it on Netflix, follow the steps mentioned earlier, and for other platforms, you can download the respective apps and log in or create an account to access the movie.