Search - The Sea Chase on DVD

An Unusual FIlm for the Duke

John A Lee III | San Antonio, TX | 07/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this sea drama John Wayne plays the same type of rugged individualist that he always did but there is a surprise. He plays a loyal German sea captain during the opening days of World War II and does so in a distinctly sympathetic fashion. This may at first seem counterintuitive for John Wayne fans but the key is that he is not a Nazi. In fact, he is an outspoken critic of the Nazi party. That is how he finds himself cashiered from the German navy and in command of a tramp steamer.



The captain finds himself in Australia at the outbreak of the war. He breaks out in an attempt to bring his ship safely back to Germany. Though he loathes the regime, he is a loyal German. Getting to Germany is only the least of his problems. He is saddled by his consulate with the transport of a German spy in the form of Femme Fatale, Lana Turner. To make matters worse, his second officer is an ardent Nazi who thinks nothing of committing the occasional atrocity against shipwrecked seamen. The icing on the cake is the Royal Navy warship that pursues him across the South Pacific with an old family friend aboard her as one of the officers.



Throughout the entire ordeal, Wayne portrays the captain as a man dedicated to his own ideals and his own conception of valor. This makes dealing with Nazis, spies, mutinous crewmen and friend in the opposing navy just that much more difficult.



Wayne is often criticized for playing the same one dimensional character over and over again. I see him as playing parts he believes in over and over again. He generally does a good job of it and this film is no exception. Principles have a price and Wayne pays the price, doing so with gallantry.

"

Strange but unforgettable

Hal Colebatch | Perth, Western Australia | 07/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of those odd movies that have, quite nexpectedly, the quality of masterpieces. It was the best surprise I have ever had in a cinema. Full of images (the smashed lifeboats, the rats, the final storm) and a situation that lingers in the mind. It is a somehow "special" film and a perfect but unconventional sea adventure. Perhaps because of its unconventional plot and narrative it manages to be quite unforgettable. One of John Wayne's best. Some brilliant camera-work."

John Wayne as a German Sea Captain!

John Dziadecki | Louisville, CO USA | 08/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For some reason I never thought of Wayne as playing the role of a German sea captain. Well, he does here and does very well indeed in this very entertaining film. Here he has a decent script to work with that gives him an opportunity to shine. Both Wayne and Turner seem to grow in their respective roles.



The film looks and sounds great on DVD with its original CinemaScope aspect ratio intact. A very entertaing film set on the high seas. Enjoy."

Epic World War II Intrigue

Kay's Husband | Virginia, U.S.A. | 05/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
It's almost axiomatic that whatever movie John Wayne was part of could be given several stars, but this one is so atypical to his roles that it is seems unusual that he would choose it.



Recently I saw the movie on AMC, not having watched the movie in many years. Recently too, I became aware that the DVD had been issued. Having a good impression of the movie after seeing it on AMC, I purchased the DVD.



I prefer John Wayne in westerns, and am most familiar and comfortable with the 'saddle em up & move em out' roles, that it takes a bit of role switching to see him as a World War II German freighter captain. But John Wayne was so adaptable in his acting abilities that it comes across just fine; and with Lana Turner, an oft-times underrated actress, his performance gets only better.



If you like a World War II action adventure based on fact, intertwined with human interest, this is a very good DVD to add to your collection.



Recommended.



Semper Fi."