The Sea Chase

Plot synopsis:
Captain Karl Ehrlich (John Wayne) is the master of the elderly German steam freighter Ergenstrasse, in port at Sydney, Australia on the eve of the Second World War. Ehrlich is depicted as a patriot, a former career naval officer who lost his rank and position after falling out of favour with the current regime and refusing to support the Nazi Party. As his ship prepares for sea (or to be interned if war is declared) he meets with an old friend, British Commander Jeff Napier (David Farrar) and his fiancée Elsa Keller (Lana Turner).
Germany has invaded Poland, and war is imminent. As his ship prepares to slip away, Ehrlich receives a visit from the German Consul-General, who asks him to take with him a spy to prevent the spy's capture. It is only after the Ergenstrasse slips out of harbour in thick fog that Ehrlich discovers the spy is in fact Keller.
Old, slow and short on coal, the Ergenstrasse is seen as easy prey by the Australian Navy and by Napier in particular, who understandably holds a grudge. But Napier is the only man who does not underestimate Ehrlich. The wily captain leads his enemies on a chase across the Pacific Ocean, beginning with a run to the south to throw off pursuit, and pausing for supplies at an unmanned rescue station on Auckland Island. While there, Ehrlich's first officer, the pro-Nazi Kirchner (Lyle Bettger), murders three marooned seamen, but does not tell the captain about it. Napier discovers the bodies while in pursuit and believes his old friend is responsible. He vows to bring the German to justice as a war criminal.
Ehrlich burns the ship's lifeboats for fuel, upsetting the crew, then stops for wood at the fictitious Pom Pom Galli Atoll in mid-Pacific. While there, Ehrlich discovers that Kirchner murdered the fishermen and forces him to sign an account of his actions in the ship's log. The ship arrives at Valparaíso in neutral Chile, and Ehrlich encounters Napier, as his ship HMAS Rockhampton has pursued him from New Zealand.
Luck is with them as the Ergenstrasse, re-provisioned and fuelled, slips away in the darkness; the British forces waiting for them have been called away in support of the cruisers facing the German pocket battleship Graf Spee in Montevideo, Uruguay. Napier requests a transfer to the British Naval patrols in the North Sea, believing that Ehrlich must pass through the patrols in his attempt to reach Kiel.
For political reasons, German radio broadcasts a message from Lord Haw Haw that discloses the position of the Ergenstrasse as it passes Norway, thus giving up the ship and crew to the Royal Navy and to the waiting Napier, as his swifter passage home places the corvette under his command in Ehrlich's path. Napier tracks down Ehrlich's ship and sinks it in the North Sea, with Elsa and Ehrlich aboard, and with Kirchner as an unwilling participant in the short, one-sided battle. The ship's log is handed over to Napier by the survivors and proves Ehrlich innocent of the Auckland incident.

Tags: cult, murder, violence

Review:
No, John Wayne and his crew don't speak German, but what do you expect of a film from this era?
John Wayne as the captain of a German ship during the early days of World War II?
All right, he does not support German policies, but, nevertheless, casting Wayne in the part of Captain Karl Ehrlich was a bizarre choice.
The Duke does not even attempt a German accent, and he actually mispronounces the only German words that he utters, "Auf Wiedersehn." Perhaps the lure of starring opposite the luscious, if decidedly petite next to Wayne, Lana Turner was reason enough to ignore the mediocre script and listless direction by John Farrow.Whatever Wayne's motives for appearing in "The Sea Chase," he plays John Wayne relatively well and outmaneuvers the pursuing British in the grand heroic style he pioneered.
However, somewhat akin to "Das Boot," only one dastardly German serves among the otherwise apolitical crew, and a Nazi flag only appears once and briefly.As Ehrlich, Wayne sails from Sydney just after hostilities begin in Europe, and, with a British ship in pursuit, which is captained by an officer that Wayne managed to insult over a woman, the glowing Ms. Turner, Wayne maneuvers his ship through the South Pacific towards safety in Valparaiso.
Of course, "The Sea Chase" is pure Hollywood hokum, and such questions of logic should never be asked.Unfortunately for the film and perhaps for Wayne, there appears to be little chemistry between the Duke and Turner.
The decidedly non-Teutonic actors in the supposedly German crew include such familiar faces as James Arness, Tab Hunter, Claude Akins, Paul Fix, and Alan Hale, and each is decidedly superior to the lines they are forced to recite.Although the film is a supposedly a chase, there is a shortage of action, and the film plods along with little suspense other than that provided by Turner's wardrobe changes.
John Wayne fans likely will want to see "The Sea Chase," if only for the curiosity value.
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 saw the movie shortly after it's release in 1955 while in my mid-teens; a number of years later I served on New Glasgow and recalled the part played by the ship and crew in the film.
The crew never did get any extra pay for their appearance (nor did the ship)but at least they have the satisfaction of knowing the true identity of the "destroyer." Despite all the above the film is good viewing and will be of interest to many..
A very strange cast; very confusing story line; but a very good fox chasing the hound on the war time seas.
John Wayne is a disgruntled German freighter captain that only wants to get his ship to safe port at the beginning of World War II.
The freighter must out run a determined British Commander(David Farrar)who has personal reasons to catch Wayne and his special cargo.Diverse supporting cast includes: Lyle Bettger, James Arness, Tab Hunter and John Qualen.
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..
1955 marked the last year of John Wayne's streak of being number one at the box office and it was films like The Sea Chase that helped bring about an end to his reign.I cannot understand for the life of me why John Wayne, as American as they come was cast as a German.
Right around the same time there were players like Curt Jurgens or the newly arrived in Hollywood Yul Brynner who would have been far better and believable in the role of freighter captain Karl Ehrlich.
With war talk in the air, Captain David Farrar visits his old friend Wayne on his tramp steamer and he brings his new fiancé, Lana Turner.
He tells her to leave Farrar while the leaving is good, little dreaming he'd be asked by the German consul to transport Turner back to Germany.Wayne sneaks his ship out of Sydney Harbor and the Royal Navy gives chase.
Of course the atrocity redounds to Wayne's ship and gives the Royal Navy real reason to pursue.David Farrar is a fine British sea captain in the best stiff upper lip tradition.
Lana Turner is well cast in her role as femme fatale.A whole lot of young players are in the crew of Wayne's ship like James Arness, Tab Hunter, Richard Davalos, and Alan Hale, Jr. When the ship stops and makes some repairs and provisions, the crew is put to work cutting down trees.
Lots of topless beefcake for the audience there.In addition Richard Davalos has a very touching death scene, probably the acting highlight of the film.It's not the worst film John Wayne ever did, but fans of the eternal Duke will find his playing a German incongruous to say the least..
As the Second World War breaks out , -1939- German freighter captain Karl Ehrlich (John Wayne) is about to leave Sydney , Australia , with his his boat , the Ergenstrasse (it was portrayed by the real HMCS New Glascow , a Prestonian-class frigate) , as he is determined to steer his vessel back to Germany .
As Ehrlich tries to get his ship back to Germany across the Pacific , Atlantic Oceans and through a gauntlet of Allied warships .This enjoyable picture packs thrills , drama , action , sea pursuits , it results to be pretty entertaining and appear as supporting players a lot of prestigious actors ; however , being overlong .
The plot is plain and simple , as World War II begins , at its violent outbreak , a renegade as well as stubborn German freighter captain named Karl Ehrlich escapes from Sidney and must transport a mysterious passenger and arrive in his destination , Germany .
Nice acting by the great John Wayne , here he takes an unusual character as Ehrlich , an anti-Nazi but proud German who hopes to outrun or out-maneuver the British warship pursuing him .
There is a colorful secondary cast that includes Lyle Bettger as second-in-command officer , David Farrar as the British Commander , Tab Hunter as a young cadet , the veteran Paul Fix , the ordinary Alan Hale Jr , Richard ¨Dick¨ Davalos , John Qualen as chief machinist and John Doucette .
At his beginning he wrote short stories and plays during his four-year career in the navy ; in fact John was injured while serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy in World War II .
John Wayne is monumentally miscast as the captain of a German boat during World War 2.
Of course, this is 1950's Hollywood, so we can't expect the crew speak German with subtitles or anything like that; but having a German crew speak fluent English doesn't really work.Despite it's relative silliness, however, this film is decent throwaway entertainment.
The plot follows the escapades of John Wayne...I mean Karl Ehrlich, a German freighter captain who must take his ship from Sydney, Australia to it's homeland of Germany.
There are several good sequences, such as a shark attack, several scenes of rough sea and a near mutiny among other things.Lana Turner stars opposite John Wayne as the standard 'love interest'.
Anyway, despite this needless element; The sea Chase is mostly well paced and it doesn't get boring often, and when it does it's not for long; so I recommend the film to anyone that just wants something mindless to watch for a couple of hours; like I did when I watched it..
John Wayne & Lana Turner Were a Good Pair.
Hollywood wanted the public to view John Wayne and Lana Turner together on a cargo ship with only men and no women aboard.
If you love John Wayne and Lana Turner all very young looking, you just might enjoy this rather long drawn out cruise..
John Wayne stars as a German skipper of an old steamer making his way back to the fatherland pursued by the British fleet.
Lana Turner being the love interest,and looking like she stepped out of a night-club just a few hours before the shoot.She's gorgeous and what make-up she wears.Even through hell and high water she looks sexy and beautiful.But sadly there is no sparks flying between Wayne and Turner in the romance department.It feels superfluous to the whole storyline.Then we've got David Farrar playing a British sea officer as British as they come.He's also the narrator.In the supporting cast you will recognize some old Wayne compadres in John Qualen,James Arness and Paul Fix. A waste of time for everybody who don't like John Wayne.I happen to like him..
Thus it is with amusement to see Wayne in this film, " The Sea Chase " playing Capt.
Karl Ehrlich a German Officer during World War Two. Further, his ship's crew is loaded with additional actors who have a history of playing good guys siding with him.
With David Farrar playing Cmd. Jeff Napier, who gives reluctant chase, Lyle Bettger as Chief Officer Kirchner, Waynes' foil, and sultry Lana Turner playing Ehrlichs' former heartthrob, the movie has a great deal of potential.
It's the outbreak of World War II and John Wayne plays a German (!) freighter captain trying to get his ship from Australia back to Germany with the British in pursuit.
His character is anti-Nazi but still he's playing a German fleeing the British and trying to take his ship back to Nazi Germany.
But THE SEA CHASE commits a case of epic miscasting in putting John Wayne in the role of the German captain.
The British are awkwardly cast as the putative "baddies" pursuing Wayne after one of his (only)Nazi Officers commits onshore murder as the ship tries to escape from Australia to Valparaiso after the outbreak of war.
This crude device means that the "bad" pursuers are also "good", because they are righting a wrong and ensures that although Wayne is "good", Nazis are bad.Lana Turner is bolted on as a love interest playing the part of a spy taking passage, but there is zero chemistry between her and Wayne and she ends up as mere window dressing.The action sequences, such as they are, are limp and the overall emotion is one of sheer incredulity that anyone would have thought that this was going to work.Anyone who bemoans that, "they don't make films like they used to " should check this out - and be grateful..
surely there were plenty of German type actors in Hollywood at this time??And Ms Turners Makeup was fantastic- having served on 5000 ton freighters I would like to know how she kept herself so immaculate all the time.
First of all, John Wayne plays the captain of a German tramp steamer at the outset of WWII.
By implying that Captain Ehrlich does not sympathize with the Nazis, the screenplay makes him acceptable.Secondly, the romantic couple of the film are played by the Duke and Lana Turner.
This is not your typical John Wayne film.The crew includes Claude Akins and newcomer Tab Hunter.
Because it departs from the usual John Wayne formulae, "The Sea Chase" is interesting for that reason alone..
John Wayne plays a Teutonic sea captain piloting his freighter through various perils in the China Sea while Nazi party-girl Lana Turner sits on deck in a mink coat, polishing her diamonds.
At one point, overwhelmed by democratic feelings, Lana leads Tab Hunter and the rest of the ship's crew in a dirge [!] Veteran director John Farrow approaches each new absurdity with an absolutely straight face.
Decent war film starring John Wayne, Lana Turner, Lyle Bettger, Tab Hunter, James Arness, John Qualen and Paul Fix. Wayne plays a German ship captain, Karl Ehrlich, who, because he's not a Nazi and opposed to them, has been stripped of his command and given an old ship, the Ergenstrasse.
German naval captain John Wayne (as Karl Ehrlich) is near Australia as World War II beaks out.
If watching the "all-American" Wayne in this wasn't ludicrous enough, throw in singing Nazi spy Lana Turner (as Elsa Keller).
And, it's in "CinemaScope" with "WarnerColor".***** The Sea Chase (6/4/55) John Farrow ~ John Wayne, Lana Turner, Tab Hunter, Richard Davalos.
This one sees him as the tough anti-Nazi skipper of a German tramp steamer in the days immediately prior to WWII, engaged in a voyage from Sydney, Australia en route to the Fatherland – with the British navy in hot pursuit.
Clothier’s pleasing Widescreen cinematography offers some form of compensation (as does the supporting cast, littered with regulars from Wayne’s films such as Claude Akins, James Arness and Paul Fix, but also featuring two popular young actors of the day, Tab Hunter and Dick Davalos).In addition to the strain of dodging his pursuers, Wayne is beset with problems on board his own vessel: having fallen for Turner himself, he must contend with his slimy lieutenant Lyle Bettger who has also set his eyes on her; besides, Bettger is responsible for the cold-blooded murder of a group of fishermen which has resulted in the branding of Wayne as a criminal (when Bettger is confronted with the truth in Wayne’s cabin, the latter dismisses him by asking the former to “crawl out” of his sight); Arness, too, decides to contend Wayne’s overly strict leadership but, by the end of the film, they’ve earned one another’s respect.
Wayne plays an anti-Nazi German sea captain, opposed to the new regime, but as a loyal citizen he feels he must save his ship from destruction...At the outbreak of World War II, just before news reaches Australia that the Nazi armies have moved into Poland, Wayne slips his steamer  a rusty old 5,000-ton freighter named the Ergenstrasse - out of Sydney harbor back to Valparaiso...
Adding to his problems are both the Ergenstrasse's shortage of fuel and provisions, and the presence of a mysterious lady, a beautiful German spy (Lana Turner) with an unseemly past who had been forced to take along by official orders...With a look suggesting intimacy, wearing a terrific white gown and a mink coat to lie back upon, and holding an elegant cigarette case and displaying a bracelet of diamonds, this consummate blonde, was once Wayne's mistress, and is now engaged to David Farrar, who just happens to be in command of the pursuing Rockhampton...While the Ergenstrasse is being amply provisioned in Auckland island, Lyle Bettger, its ruthless chief officer, callously murders a group of shipwrecked fishermen, thereby causing dishonor on Wayne and his crew...Eventually, the ship arrives at Pom Pom Galli (an island in the South Pacific Ocean) where is completely refueled, and sets sail for home...
Accepting the perhaps questionable premise that there were Nazi - hating officers in the German Merchant Navy at the outbreak of the second world war,it is reasonable to assume that they,like Mr Wayne,would display a "My country - right or wrong" attitude and rather than allow their ship to be captured by the enemy,would attempt a hazardous long voyage back home.
His opponent is a Britsh Naval Lieutenant - perhaps a little elderly for such a rank - a former friend whom Wayne has warned off about a German spy (Miss Lana Turner)to whom the Lieutenant has become engaged to be married.He is played by Mr D.Farrar who had a brief second string career portraying such types,but lacks any sort of substance.
Wayne is forced by the German Consul in Sydney to take Miss Turner on board one step ahead of the British Security Service.
Then he reads the ship's log brought aboard by Mr J.Arness one of Wayne's rescued crew and discovers that Duke didn't commit a War crime after all,Betger did,but Wayne bore the responsibility of the act as a good captain should,I would like to think that Mr Farrar then thought "oh bugger!" but this was wartime so he probably didn't.
This is definitely a kind of strange movie, the Duke doing almost a cameo as the good German Freighter Captain Ehrlich (=German for "Honest"), who tries to get away from Allied Warships after the War has stranded him with his Ship in South America.
John Wayne plays the role of a German merchant sea-captain, determined to get himself, his crew and his little freighter back to the fatherland.
On board is a German kiss-n-tell agent played by busty Lana Turner.
Stars John Wayne and Lana Turner would seem a lively combination.
They are not heading for home in Germany and the captain played by John Wayne is not one of Hitler's supporters.
John Wayne plays an anti-Nazi German freighter captain who feels duty bound to get his ship back to Germany after World War II breaks out.
After escaping from the harbor in Australia Wayne sets a course to evade the pursuing British war ships.
Lana and the Duke - A Tale of Love on the Run. John Wayne is a German freighter captain who is trying to get his crew back to his homeland, but has to take in a spy on the run, who happens to be Lana Turner, who was about to marry Britisher David Farrar for her country to gain information, but Wayne intervened and messed up her plans.
We can at least be thankful that he and his crew speak good old-fashioned American except once, when Duke tries to wrap his speech organs around "auf wiedersehen, Sidney," and it comes out with a "w".Lana Turner.
Lana's "Elsa" and Wayne's "Karl" are made for each other here, as were John and Hedda in Real Life (please see TRUMBO).