The Sea Chase (1955)

Adventure drama and romance of an outlaw ship and the people aboard her. Based on Andrew Geer's novel.Running Time: 117 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/CLASSIC Rating: NR UPC: 085391158646 Manufacturer No: 115864 Product Description

Why WHINE about no German Accents?

I have to say, this movie is wonderful and has wonderful people in it. John Wayne was a brilliant actor, and is so in this movie.

The fact he's a German who is vehemently anti-Nazi is a calling to people in coutries that fall under the same circumstances as Germany under Hitler that they don't have to take it. I think many people miss this point and say "oh, isn't it nice there are always nice people on both sides...". Yes, there's that too, but the other point should be taken as well.

I'm shocked by all the reviews here that complain about the lack of German accents. These people obviously have NO classic movie knowledge/haven't watched many classics. John Wayne would have been laughed out of the theater in this film if he'd had a German accent!

There's also complaints about Lana always being "fixed" and pulled together. Here's why: movies used to be MOVIES. There were escapism and entertainment. People didn't used to like going to the movies to see people be "real" and get all roughed up. They liked the glamour. So if Lana's dress is never wrinkled, that was a good thing.

AND!...

They could use their imaginations a little! Back then--when they made good, decent, classic, wonderful movies with people that actually had talent--the public didn't need someone's guts to fall out and blood to splatter everywhere to understand someone was hurt when they were shot. You'd here a bang and the person would fall down, and that was good enough. So, really, do you need The Duke to attempt a ridiculous German accent to understand he's German??? Not that he couldn't do it, but why would you want him to?

So, I just HAD to post a review to address that nonsense from other posters. The movie is great with two of the greatest movies stars of all time (The Duke being *the greatest ever*). I'd highly recommend it. It's full of action with a good helping of romance. Fantastic! February 23, 2008

Classic 'Truth Will Vindicate' Movie

This is a classic `Man wrongfully accused' movie where he is eventually vindicated by the truth finally coming out and revealed to the world. Set in the dark times of WWII John Wayne is a classic hero - but this time on the OTHER side - showing that we can find hero's and heroic acts on BOTH sides of any conflict. September 15, 2007

John Wayne at Sea

As usual, John Wayne plays the strong type with a sense of duty to his country if not it's cause. Even though Wayne is not a Nazi, he feels duty bound to get his German steamer home. The characters are rich and the story line is good. A must see for any Wayne fan or action fan. May 14, 2007

As a naval melodrama, the film is good entertainment!

The film's plot, as the titles points out, used one of the most powerful standby of a motion picture medium - the chase...

Wayne plays an anti-Nazi German sea captain, opposed to the new regime, but as a loyal citizen he feels he must save his ship from destruction...

At the outbreak of World War II, just before news reaches Australia that the Nazi armies have moved into Poland, Wayne slips his steamer - a rusty old 5,000-ton freighter named the Ergenstrasse - out of Sydney harbor back to Valparaiso... To his bad luck, a British warship (The H.M.S. Rockhampton) sails in his pursuit...

From that foggy night, it takes all of Wayne's ability to keep the ship from falling into the hands of the British... Adding to his problems are both the Ergenstrasse's shortage of fuel and provisions, and the presence of a mysterious lady, a beautiful German spy (Lana Turner) with an unseemly past who had been forced to take along by official orders...

With a look suggesting intimacy, wearing a terrific white gown and a mink coat to lie back upon, and holding an elegant cigarette case and displaying a bracelet of diamonds, this consummate blonde, was once Wayne's mistress, and is now engaged to David Farrar, who just happens to be in command of the pursuing Rockhampton...

While the Ergenstrasse is being amply provisioned in Auckland island, Lyle Bettger, its ruthless chief officer, callously murders a group of shipwrecked fishermen, thereby causing dishonor on Wayne and his crew...

Eventually, the ship arrives at Pom Pom Galli (an island in the South Pacific Ocean) where is completely refueled, and sets sail for home... But the commander of Rockhampton, still in pursuit, learns of the massacred fishermen and determines, more than ever, to sink the German freighter...

In addition to its bizarre ending that left much to be desired, the film offers a storm at sea, an attack by sharks, a suicide and a near mutiny...

Wayne plays the courageous captain in his mild resolute way... Lana's performance is on a par with Wayne, handling the part with facile authority...

As a naval melodrama 'The Sea Chase' is good entertainment...

January 13, 2007

Enthralling WWII Maritime Adventure

I found this to be one of John Wayne's more interesting and complex roles. In fact the entire film is a complex vortex of emotions and loyalties. As unusual as it seems to have John Wayne playing Captain Karl Erlich of a German cargo ship escaping Australia at the outbreak of WWII, this film works convincingly and quite admirably. Wayne as Captain Erlich is not a Nazi but just a man wanting to return his ship and crew home safely to Germany. Playing his counterpart and conscience throughout is David Farrar as British Commander Napier. Once Wayne's friend, Farrar pursues the cargo ship in a race to cut her off from reaching homeport. David Farrar also serves as narrator of this tale and curiously brings the frustrations of conflicting friendships, duties and political loyalties to the forefront. We never truly accept Wayne as a German but he convincingly plays a worldly, seasoned and inelegant Captain whose honor, reputation and dedication to his crew and ship are beyond question. At the heart of this film is a great maritime adventure beautifully photographed by William Clothier and skillfully directed by John Farrow. The unheralded Roy Webb composed another effective score going above and beyond. The cast is quite impressive. Lana Turner provides the love interest while Tab Hunter, James Arness, Lyle Bettger, Paul Fix, Richard Davalos, Claude Akins and Alan Hale Jr. are prominently featured. This is a very colorful film and the directional stereo sound is outstanding. This is one of Wayne's better films and a little known gem.
June 2, 2006

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