This is one of Sophia Loren's first appearances on film, but it is quite a small role, she is hardly noticed, and the role is not even credited. Marcello Mastroianni on the other hand has a major role and almost the lead, while the main plot is about Jacques Sernas and Milly Vitale, having some relationship problems. It is all about life at sea on a school ship, the account of the life of the cadets and of the ship "Vespucci" is charming and brilliant, and it's not all just discipline and hard training but also some relaxing moments with parties and dancing. The chief character though is Charles Vanel as Nostromo (no connection with Joseph Conrad's novel) who keeps the cadets in order with great experience and psychology. The only adventure in the film occurs when they reach Algiers, where Mastroianni, having deserted from his marine training and joined an ordinary freighter as a regular seaman, discovers there is a smuggling racket on board, which gets him into trouble. The "Vespucci" happens to land there at the same time, Mastroianni's friend Jacques Sernas discovers his dilemma, and there is a drama. The main credit of the film is the fabulous photography of this glorious sailing ship and the genuine life on board, matching any of the of great sailing ships films of Britain and America.
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