Death Under Sail

This 1976 Soviet two-part detective film, directed by Ada Neretniece at the Riga Film Studio, is based on the novel of the same name by British writer Charles Percy Snow. The plot centers around a group of friends invited by successful oncologist Dr. Roger Mills (Olgerts Dunkers) to spend time on his yacht. Among the guests are: young doctor William Garnett (Lembit Ulfsak), who works at Mills' clinic; club regular Ian Capel (Nikolai Kryukov); shipbuilding magnate's son Philip Wade (Janis Paukshte) with his girlfriend Tony Gilmore (Mirdza Martinsone); and Miss Avis Loring (Marianna Vertinskaya) with her fiancé Christopher Tarrant (Girt Yakovlev). A few days into the trip, Mills is found shot dead. The investigation is led by local police sergeant Beryl (Kaljo Kiisk), joined by Mr. Finbow (Antanas Barcas), a friend of Ian Capel. The investigation reveals that five of the six guests had the opportunity and motive to commit the murder, with Ian Capel being the exception, as he arrived last and was unfamiliar with the yacht's routine. Sergeant Beryl, strictly following protocol, suspects Capel based solely on his age. Finbow discovers that Mills was far from innocent, having blackmailed his guests using medical secrets. Unexpectedly, Sergeant Beryl finds the murder weapon—a pistol tied to the ship's log—at the bottom of the river and concludes that Mills committed suicide. The group celebrates this outcome, but Finbow shatters their relief by exposing the real murderer.