The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):
'CON STAVROS. About 35, of Greek antecedents but a second generation Australian. No trace of accent, only his dark good looks give evidence of his origin. He is well-built, hard, big. A professional fisherman, something of a swashbuckler. A loner, except for his affection for Tommy, which is well hidden. He has a terrible explosive temper.
'TOMMY PHILLIPS About 19. A gangling, unprepossessing boy, uneducated, dull-witted and slow, but not mentally retarded. He worships Con, likes and admires Magda Cameron. Works as deck-hand for Con. He tries hard, knows his job, but is rather clumsy. Normally bright and cheerful, but easily depressed.
'MAGDA CAMERON About 30. Somewhat enigmatic woman of vaguely European descent, but without accent. She is a villain of the piece, but is not entirely black. Has a genuine liking and sympathy for Tommy, but this is mixed with impatience. Dark, good-looking, appears rather sensuous, without trying.
'SGT. KELLY 45-50. Police Sergeant at small fishing village.
'CAMERON. Magda's husband, around 40. A fisheries inspector, big and hard. He is believed murdered, but is in reality the murderer of his partner, and has switched identities.
'HILL About 35. Loudmouthed, hard-case fisherman. Very pugnacious. Coarse and narrow-minded. Big man.
'EXTRAS Villagers, 2 only.
'CHARLIE Fisherman.
'EXTRAS Fishermen - 3 only.
'BARMAN No lines.'
