"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 are 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.

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. On board he has a sexy spy, played by Lana Turner. This is an odd role for Duke that I'm surprised he took. 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. And he does have at least one Nazi on board. Perhaps he really wanted to work with Lana Turner. Can't say I blame any man for that. But that part of the film falls flat as the two have poor chemistry. Lana's beautiful, though, with her platinum blonde hair looking perfect at all times. The supporting cast is full of familiar faces with Paul Fix and Dick Davalos giving standout performances. The biggest flaw is that it's not a terribly exciting film. For a movie centered around a chase, it's awfully slow.

German naval captain John Wayne (as Karl Ehrlich) is near Australia as World War II beaks out. Although he is against Hitler's politics, Mr. Wayne decides he must return to his Axis fatherland. Along the way, he fights Allied forces. If watching the "all-American" Wayne in this wasn't ludicrous enough, throw in singing Nazi spy Lana Turner (as Elsa Keller). She boards ship and shipmates. Wayne tells Ms. Turner not to wear tight clothing because it's been so long since the men have had shore leave. Fortunately, she does not always follow directions. You need something to relieve boredom from "The Sea Chase" and Wayne is little help. The best parts involve Dick Davalos (as Stemme), Tab Hunter (as Wesser) and a shark attack. And, it's in "CinemaScope" with "WarnerColor".***** The Sea Chase (6/4/55) John Farrow ~ John Wayne, Lana Turner, Tab Hunter, Richard Davalos

It is always astonishing to see in Hollywood movies Germans characterized as good guys. And that in 1955, only ten years after WWII. The Germans have usually to play the role of the bad and ugly, if there are no Red Indians or Russian communists or WWII Japanese around (Hollywood's axes of evil). Interestingly as most immigrants before WWI were Germans and every 5th white American is of German descendance (many Hollywood Stars know this, even Harrison Ford and Doris Day). How could anyone believe that such a film was getting a blockbuster? It is what many Hollywood historical movies makes boring: the US-boys are always the tough guys. And if others are some sort of heroes they will have to say the text-line: "Ah, I am sorry I am no American, but I should definitely be,and in my heart I am already, you know!" When do we get MORE realistic films? May be the Us boys do not get along in Irak, because they sit to high on their horses? A classical American failure it seems. I hasten to ad that there are time and again noteworthy exceptions to the rule - which astonish me even more- where filmmakers show almost incredible self-criticism. Not surprisingly often good films! I gave seven stars, two alone for the courage to do something different, one for King Duke and the rest for being average.