The Sea Chase [Blu-ray]

Great older movie with a fantastic cast! Look for the very young western stars like James Arness and even The Skipper from Gillagin's Island!

Excellent Product and Service

what can you say, its John Wayne

I haven't watched the film a million times, but I am getting near the number. I am not a great fan of John Wayne, and I can not explain it. If it is a movie that I enjoy and Wayne is in it, good. I dislike war movies, and I detest westerns with three exceptions: ''Shane'', ''Once apon a time in the old West'', ''How the west was Won''. ...................... This is for me a Lana Turner movie. Her entry in the film has to be in the top ten leading lady seductions: of the viewer. Before we see her face we see the reactions of the crew as she approaches the ship. No one could wear a mink coat as Lana Turner could, could carry a coat like she did. She climbs a staircase in our face, we can not see much, but; it is obvious the crew can see more. The camera does many close ups of her face: so much so that one forgets her performance. The Lady was more than good. She believes every line she speaks. Lana does some wonderful things with her role. I never get the feeling that she is trying to perform. At this time Lana was nearing twenty years in front of the camera. She had made a test for the Scarlet O'Hara part in ''Gone with the Wind''. She worked with Gable, Taylor, Tracey, Milland, etc. She was never given the credit she should have received. In ''Sea Chase'', she has a tender scene with this older sailor. She could be cold, and soft, stiff and gentle, warm and loving. Without her, the movie would have been a second on a drive-inn theatre deal. After Louis B. Meyer left M.G.M. the ''stars'' that were in heaven were let go as soon as possible: or, so they say. The new head of the Studio didn't care much for Lana, as they say. The lady worked. 1937 until 1966 in top drawer A movies. Oh! The dress. She wears only mink and this cream colored scoop neck dress, apart from a couple of sweaters and blue jeans, a nurse sort of uniform etc. Watch the movie. She was a ''star'', but please don't let that stop you from enjoying her.

This is just an enjoyable adventure film with a World War two backdrop,featuring the Duke as a German freighter captain!.a bit different to his usual roles to say the least!.but.like the westerns he is indelibly associated with his character is imbued with honour and a "no nonsense" approach. The story of his merchant ship attempting to return to Germany at the outbreak of war, pursued by the Royal Navy after an incident involving the murder of a group of fishermen(Wayne's Captain Ehrlich is unaware of the massacre) by a Nazi crew member the first mate Kirchner (Lyle Bettger) .Ehrlich has already shown his dislike for the Nazi regime, and being a Great War naval veteran, feels his duty is to Germany and the old flag. He finds himself and his ship pursued relentlessly, by the British Navy, personified by Commander Napier, (David Farrar), scanning the horizon with binoculars and stiff upper lip. Aboard Ehrlichs ship is a Nazi agent Elsa, whom he has been ordered to carry back to Germany, Elsa (Lana Turner)had been an intimate of Napiers, unaware of her espionage activities. So this all adds up to an extended pursuit, with Ehrlich and Elsa finding a kindling relationship and somewhat open-ended conclusion, Director John Farrow just lets the tale unfold and provides an entertaining movie. The Warner Archive Collection are a real treat for classic film fans, Blu-ray and region free ! Superb!

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.

This review is for the Dutch(?) DVD with No 6 bottom right hand corner. The DVD transfer is excellent. Scope (bars top and bottom) with good colour, clear picture and sound and optional English Subtitles. You can click on English very easily. The film? Once you accept Wayne, his voice and Waynisms, as the German Captain of a tramp steamer, if you can, you are well away on a good wartime adventure chase tale as (very) English David Farrar pursues Wayne and his ship halfway across the world. The film is quite long but it moves along well under the sure direction of John Farrow. You might think it was a Ford film with the all American cast of the German crew - Lyle Bettger (at his snarling, sneering best), Alan Hale Jnr and John Doucette (both wasted), John Qualen (thankfully without his annoying (Lars/Searchers and many more) "Svedish" accent, Jim Arness, Claude Akin (sic) both with dyed blond hair, Peter Whitney and we can't forget a young Tab Hunter! My only problem with the casting is not so much Lana T. but her hair! It is awful and truly well out of place/period/whatever. But she does her best. I thoroughly enjoyed this one tho I am not sure everyone will share my opinion, but it's a fair price and if you are a Wayne fan this particular DVD is the one to get.

I recommend those who are interested in naval warfare to see this film. This film is purely for entertainment and not of any historical background. Still, navy/sea warfare buffs will enjoy the story of the pursuit by a British destroyer of a German merchant ship across several oceans. I rather enjoyed it as I like older films and a fan of John Wayne and Lana Turner.

Well What Can I Say John Wayne Can't Go Wrong Can He I Is Brilliant.

Was a bit dubious about import, but no need to worry even after it came with the cover in another language. Film quality was very good and was in Engish. Another one for my collection.

Quite a good movie , Lana turner is in one of her best , suiting herself .John Wane is all ways tyhe same runch man ! I found him , rather sluggish for this role ? I got the film for David Farrar , and went through all the length just to watch a bit of him at the end of the movie batteling his rival in all sence ! he was good in Narrative and play ! what a pity he had not a greater chance in Holly wood ! But I am glad I purchased it