The French Atlantic Affair

The French Atlantic Affair is a novel by Ernest Lehman which was published in 1977. A 3-part TV miniseries based on the book was produced and broadcast in 1979.

The French Atlantic Affair
Directed by Douglas Heyes
Written by Ernest Lehman
Douglas Heyes
Release dates
 November 1979
Running time
 278 minutes

Plot

A luxury ocean liner, the SS Marseilles of the French Atlantic Line, is hijacked by a messianic priest and his cult followers for a $70 million ransom in gold. A novelist and the ship's captain attempt to save the lives of the passengers, some of whom are also members of the group.

Two young ham radio enthusiasts are the only link between the ship and the outside world. The SS Marseilles was based on the ocean liner SS France (1961) of the French Line.

In the novel, the hijackers were a group of employees laid off by NASA and its contractors after the termination of the Apollo program; the hams were a passenger not a member of the group and his on-shore friend, both physicians.

Cast

Production

Exteriors and scenes on deck in the miniseries were shot in the Caribbean aboard Carnival Cruise Lines's SS Festivale. The liner retained its name and markings in the series, though it was said to be owned by the fictional French Atlantic Line. The vessel in the novel is called the SS Marseilles and is based upon the French Line's SS France. Interiors were shot on soundstages and in Long Beach, California aboard the RMS Queen Mary. The film also shot on location in Paris and surrounding areas.

Literature

References

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