"The Sea Chase" is a film full of surprises. First of all, John Wayne plays the captain of a German tramp steamer at the outset of WWII. He and his crew do not speak German, though there are (Nazi) radio broadcasts from Germany that are in German. By implying that Captain Ehrlich does not sympathize with the Nazis, the screenplay makes him acceptable.
Secondly, the romantic couple of the film is played by the Duke and Lana Turner. Talk about an unlikely couple. But the film does not require them to be very intimate, so the odd coupling is downplayed.
Finally, the film is--as the title suggests--the story of one ship chasing another. There is little contact between them, so the action has to do with Ehrlich's ship and crew handling hardships at the urging of their no-nonsense captain. This is not your typical John Wayne film.
The crew includes Claude Akins and newcomer Tab Hunter.
It's a simple story that ends oddly, in my opinion. Because it departs from the usual John Wayne formulae, "The Sea Chase" is interesting for that reason alone.
Secondly, the romantic couple of the film is played by the Duke and Lana Turner. Talk about an unlikely couple. But the film does not require them to be very intimate, so the odd coupling is downplayed.
Finally, the film is--as the title suggests--the story of one ship chasing another. There is little contact between them, so the action has to do with Ehrlich's ship and crew handling hardships at the urging of their no-nonsense captain. This is not your typical John Wayne film.
The crew includes Claude Akins and newcomer Tab Hunter.
It's a simple story that ends oddly, in my opinion. Because it departs from the usual John Wayne formulae, "The Sea Chase" is interesting for that reason alone.