A Twist of Sand 1968

A recent discovery, this (now in the public domain) film is available for viewing on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLh6vaTDEds

A twist of Sand has further examples of the uniformly excellent model ship work by Bill Warrington. A  secret advanced WW2 Nazi submarine is destroyed by a British submarine during a flashback sequence. The bulk of the model action involves an ex WW2 fast patrol boat navigating the dangerous shoals off the skeleton coast of Africa to retrieve some stolen diamonds. The sequence is very well shot and choreographed with very convincing boat motion, steering from the stern etc. The water effects, waves and foam are very well handled, with the rocks looking convincingly dangerous.

The Longships 1964

Solid work by British special effects men Syd Pearson and Bill Warrington. My guess is that Bill Warrington handled the miniature viking longship in the two maelstrom sequences. He had already been involved with Sink the Bismarck(1960) and supervised the fantastic miniature storm sequence in the Guns of Navarone (1961) before this rollicking tale of vikings, moors and a huge solid gold bell came along. The maelstrom churns chaotically with many crashing waves from the dump tank and bursts of what looks like dry ice fog, battering the model and the miniature rowers. The first sequence is given a warm almost sepia colouration where as the second sequence is standard daylight. I suppose this is to differentiate the two sequences which as far as the action depicted is basically the same.

The 12 foot (3.658m) longship model was built by legendary British model making company Master models  responsible for some other famous Film and TV work. As their website can attest they're still going today.

Master Models 12 foot Viking Longship.