The Long Voyage Home
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Movie Reviews of The Long Voyage Home
Movie Review: A Modern-day Odyssey
Summary: 5 Stars
It is widely acknowledged that John Ford is one of the great Hollywood directors. But he was more than just a great director. He was also a great artist, as is especially seen in a great many of his earlier films. "The Long Voyage Home" is just such a film.
Based on a series of p[lays by Eugene O'Neill, this film is an ode to the sea and to the men who live on the sea. It is the tale of their struggles: fighting for life, salvation, and their fellow man. O'Neill himself said that this was his favorite adaptation of any of his plays.
It is a film graced with beatiful performances by its actors. Many of the members of the famous "John Ford Stock Company" are here: Thomas Mitchell, Ward Bond, Arthur Shields, and of course, John Wayne. Film experts often cite another Ford film, "The Searchers", as proof that Wayne was actually a great actor. That is true, but I have always felt that the same is true for this film. He plays the part of a Swedish sailor, and it is a difficult assignment- one which he handled admirably. He even performs the role with a convincing Swedish accent. Ford took a gamble with casting choices such as this, and it is a testament to his skill that he was able to make it work.
This is a film blessed with great direction, beautiful cinematography, and strong performances by its stars. One can't help but admire how Ford crafted this tale of the sea into his own version of man's struggle not only with the elements, but with himself as well.
Movie Review: SO SO
Summary: 3 Stars
NOT A BAD MOVIE BUT AS FAR AS JOHN WAYNE GOES NOT A BIG ACTION MOVIE BUT INSTRESTINGMovie Review: Ford's best. Wayne's best.
Summary: 5 Stars
My dad told me about this movie about twenty years ago, I watched it, and have loved it ever since. He's an old merchant seaman, and says the film very movingly and accurately evokes the feelings of melancholy and loneliness that so often permeate the lives of many merchant seamen.
I think this is the best movie ever made by both John Wayne and John Ford. That's saying a lot. It's just brilliant. Most of Ford's stock company of actors are here, and in top form. Great, atmospheric camerawork from Greg Toland, in what I believe was the film he shot right before his legendary work on Citizen Kane. Orson Welles was so impressed by the film, that he had the entire cast of Kane watch it before they began filming. It has a similar look and feel as Welles masterpiece. The dark, gloomy compositions, and deep focus camerawork, are a testament to Toland's well deserved status as one of the greatest cinematographers in the history of film.
The final moments of this movie are simply some of the saddest and most beautiful I have ever seen in a film. If you haven't seen it, do so as soon as possible. It's one of the greatest films of the forties, and one of the greatest ever made.
Movie Review: 2nd Collaboration Between Ford & Wayne Yields Mixed Results
Summary: 3 Stars
More like 3.8 stars...almost 4. Even the positive reviews freely admit the movie is a bit slow and relatively plotless. A bunch of merchant marines at the beginning of WW2 hope to make port before the Germans blow them out of the water. Evocatively shows the constant fear and loneliness of a bunch of men in forced comradie in a dangerous occupation in cramped uncomfortable quarters. More a John Ford movie than a John Wayne movie. Ford hadn't yet discovered Wayne's talent and uses him sparingly. It wasn't until She Wore a Yellow Ribbon that Ford would allow Wayne to be the star and carry the whole movie. Here, Wayne gets a decent sized bit towards the end but that's about all. Movie Review: An Unusual Role for the Duke
Summary: 3 Stars
This little known work by director John Ford and starring John Wayne is interesting because it is an unusual role for Wayne. The style is very much that of John Ford.
Wayne plays a Swedish sailor working on an English merchant ship in the opening days of World War II. The ship is in the Caribbean and gets a cargo of ammunition that is much needed in England. The problem is that ammo is a dangerous cargo that makes the unarmed freighter a very desirable target. The sailors are not thrilled about carrying such a cargo but agree to do so for the promised bonus.
The crew is nervous for the entire trip. The ship is in bad shape and Atlantic storms make it worse. Keeping a lookout for U-Boats keeps everyone's tensions on edge and a suspiciously acting member of the crew makes people think in terms of betrayal and secret agents.
In the midst of all of this is Ollie, the crewman played by John Wayne. He is a young man and rather "innocent" in the ways of the world. The entire crew is trying to encourage him to leave the sea and return home to Sweden to take care of his mama. When they finally get to England, he learns that there are perils ashore also.
It's not much of an acting role. Most of the time, he just floats along with the others taking little part in the story except as a sideline. He is there but it is not about him.
It's not a great film. It is merely interesting and different.