Wednesday, September 6, 2017

'The Sea Chase' Blu-ray: John Wayne's German Freighter Runs for the WWII Border


The Warner Archive July 11, 2017 Blu-ray release of the 1955 John Wayne drama "The Sea Chase" offers an interesting and progressive view of the WWII German military. Wayne stars as disgraced German naval captain Karl Ehrlich, who is experiencing the humiliating demotion of commanding a rusty tramp steamer in Australia when the aforementioned conflict commences.

The following YouTube clip of the SPOILER HEAVY theatrical trailer for "Chase" achieves the goal of showing the '50slicious excitement and drama of the film.


The proverbial rock and hard place in which Ehrlich finds himself is choosing between the consequences of staying in the enemy territory of Australia or taking his crew on the the long journey home only to have Ehrlich face internment. An additional complication comes via Ehrlich having a long and valued friendship with (now enemy) Royal Navy Commander Jeff Napier. The current conflict between these men extends beyond the war to Napier being engaged to Elsa Keller (Lana Turner), whom Ehrlich knows to be an extremely loose woman.

The interesting aspect about matinee idol Tab Hunter (who HATES being labelled) playing a crew member is that he is of German descent and is the product of a strict German upbringing. Additionally, the not-so-great acting of Hunter reflects his open admission that his early films are not his best work.

All this sets the stage for Ehrlich to set sail in his rusty ship that lacks the necessary fuel and provisions for the journey. His companions include an officer who is a very loyal Nazi and Elsa, whose activities on behalf of the Nazis require a rapid retreat.

The first stop for the ship is for provisions on a small island; that leads to literally cruel and unnecessary violence that opens rifts among the crew and enhances the resolve of a pursuing Napier to capture his former ally.

Desperate times on once again setting sail requires desperate measures that enhance the threat of mutiny. This relates to crew members learning that a means of escape is being closed off.

The next series of challenges and tragedies occur when Ehrlich sets anchor off the coast of an island and orders his already stressed crew to work several days from sun up to sundown chopping down trees to burn in the boiler of the ship. Elsa learning the story of the last visit of Ehrilch to the island is a major step toward the two being more than captain and unhappy passenger. This also is when Elsa starts becoming a big sister type to most of the crew and the special someone of a kindred spirit.

Suffice it to say that angry frustrated Germans using sharp tools for 18 hours a day in a shark-infested area provides several opportunities for mayhem; whether anyone gets the ax or becomes a chum is part of the drama of this portion of "Chase."

Much of the final portion of the film demonstrates both the role of propaganda during wartime and the related principle that image is more important than reality; the climatic concluding scenes provide further proof that Nazis are dicks.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Chase" is encouraged to email me; you alternatively can connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.



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