Goliath Awaits

An intriguing idea, delivered with efficiency and atmosphere if not much verve, has made this a cult item — though the video version, which runs roughly half the length of the broadcast original, removes the horrific science-fiction elements that made the two-night, syndicated telefilm so memorable. London, 1939: Edward R. Murrow (Tony Ballen) broadcasts a radio report that the luxury ocean liner Goliath is about to leave Southampton. Unfortunately, the thousand-foot vessel is torpedoed by a Nazi submarine shortly after her departure, and sinks with all hands on board. Present-day: Oceanographer Peter Cabot (Mark Harmon, sporting a '70s disco mustache) of the ...