Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Sea Chase

Play trailer Poster for The Sea Chase 1955 1h 57m War Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 3 Reviews 52% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Karl Ehrlich (John Wayne) is the German captain of a freighter stationed in an Australian port. Ehrlich, a fervent opponent of Nazism, receives word that World War II has commenced in Europe, and that he must immediately make his way to Germany while avoiding the pursuing Allied ships. Aboard his ship is a German spy (Lana Turner), whose safe passage he must ensure. Meanwhile, a British ship -- with Cmdr. Jeff Napier (David Farrar) at its helm -- is hot on their trail.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Sea Chase

Critics Reviews

View More
Nathanael Hood The Retro Set 12/29/2018
6/10
John Wayne channels the energy suffusing the entire film-exhausted, uneasy, yet instinctively driven and distinctively Wayne. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 01/31/2007
C
To enjoy this John Wayne's popular action adventure, you'll have to disregard its terrible script and bizarre casting of the Duke as a German sea captain. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 07/25/2001
C-
"This letterboxed version was watchable only to see how Lana acts while wearing furs..." Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Russ G Dec 16 A Hollywood potboiler at sea. The Duke is a Deutschlander but he doesn't care for the Little Austrian Corporal. Miss Turner is..well, simply scrumptious whether she's wrapped in mink or denim and sailcloth. Part chase, part romance. All the usual shipboard plot elements thrown in but well done for the Fifties. You'll see some familiar faces including Claude Akins and the SS Minnow's Skipper, Alan Hale, Jr, is aboard, too. Worth a watch if you have a couple of hours to fill. See more lanfranco c @Lanfrancobz 09/30/2022 The Duke in an unusual role! See more 07/20/2019 German naval officer Karl Ehrlich loves his country but hates Hitler. Busted to the command of a lowly freighter docked in Australia as World War II erupts, Ehrlich must choose: be interned by the British or sail to Germany so his men can determine their own fates. On a foggy night, Ehrlich decides - and casts off! John Wayne as Ehrlich and Lana Turner as a woman forced into Nazi espionage are a formidable romantic team in this harrowing adventure directed by John Farrow (Wake Island, Hondo). Through a relentless high-seas pursuit, Ehrlich drives his exhausted men (James Arness, Tab Hunter and others). The pursuing British have the navy that rules the waves. The freighter Ergenstrasse has the Duke. Any action fan knows that's an even - and exciting - match! See more 09/29/2017 Not Wayne's best movie, but still on my favorites list. See more s r @ScottR 07/15/2016 Unusual story, but well told despite its solemn moments and epically slow approach. See more 06/16/2016 The Duke playing a German during WWII? Unusual casting to say the least, sparks fly between him and Lana Turner. It is a good old fashioned war film but with an intriguing twist, is it possible to hope the German freighter outwits the British? Oh and there is a real baddie to hate too! See more Read all reviews
The Sea Chase

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Movie Info

Synopsis Karl Ehrlich (John Wayne) is the German captain of a freighter stationed in an Australian port. Ehrlich, a fervent opponent of Nazism, receives word that World War II has commenced in Europe, and that he must immediately make his way to Germany while avoiding the pursuing Allied ships. Aboard his ship is a German spy (Lana Turner), whose safe passage he must ensure. Meanwhile, a British ship -- with Cmdr. Jeff Napier (David Farrar) at its helm -- is hot on their trail.
Director
John Farrow
Producer
John Farrow
Screenwriter
John Twist, James Warner Bellah
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre
War, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2009
Runtime
1h 57m
Most Popular at Home Now