The Sea Chase

1955
Approved
1h 57m

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

John Wayne, Lana Turner, and Tab Hunter in The Sea Chase (1955)

Play trailer3:28

1 Video

54 Photos

Action Drama War

As World War II begins, German freighter Captain Karl Ehrlich tries to get his ship back to Germany through a gauntlet of Allied warships.As World War II begins, German freighter Captain Karl Ehrlich tries to get his ship back to Germany through a gauntlet of Allied warships.As World War II begins, German freighter Captain Karl Ehrlich tries to get his ship back to Germany through a gauntlet of Allied warships.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

3.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
John Wayne did not regard John Farrow as a good director, and blamed him for the problems with the film. Wayne later said Farrow "didn't really have a great deal to do with" Hondo (1953) because it was a Batjac production and "Everything was set up before he came on it. But he did direct 'Sea Chase' and prove to me that he should not be put in charge of a producer-director position. He failed to tell the good story that was in the book. But now, we're talking about a matter of opinion and that's only my opinion. For some, he may be considered a fine director."

Goofs
When David Farrar talks about Ehrlich's course options, he says they can rule out the vast Pacific to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east. Sailing from Sydney Australia, the Pacific would be to the East and the Indian Ocean to the West.

Quotes
Capt. Karl Ehrlich: What do you suggest that I do?
Counsel General Hepke: The Rockhampton is due in Valparaiso tomorrow. There's not a chance that you can leave.
Capt. Karl Ehrlich: I'll take my chances with the British. They won't waste a warship watching this harbor for long.
Counsel General Hepke: Very well, Captain. If you insist. Seamanship is your forte. But I beg to remind you, propaganda's mine. If I assist you, you must help me.
Capt. Karl Ehrlich: I won't lie for you.
Counsel General Hepke: Of course not! I wouldn't think of asking you to lie. You haven't had the necessary diplomatic training.

Connections
Featured in Tab Hunter Confidential (2015)

Soundtracks
The Radetsky March
(uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauss Sr.
Arranged by Roy Webb

User reviews46

Review

Featured review

7/10

I won't lie for you!

My John Wayne Marathon continues.

This is one of those Wayne movies that might fit in on a double bill with Chained Heat. It is not one of his better efforts, but it is still watchable.

John Wayne as a German might be a stretch, but it still features a strong woman part by Lana Turner, and a good supporting cast, including Paul Fix (Giant) as a former soldier turned cook, Lyle Bettger (The Lone Ranger) as a borderline psycho first officer, and James Arness (Gunsmoke) as a crewman frustrated to the point of near-mutiny.

It's a pretty good yarn about sailors wanting to go home.