Wake of the Red Witch
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Movie Reviews of Wake of the Red Witch
Movie Review: Garland Roark's Novel Brought to the Screen
Summary: 5 Stars
This seemingly obscure 1949 movie produced quietly during some of John Wayne's greatest years of stardom is an overlooked excellent and well written drama. The movie ties into the original story and actually opens the original book and begins the narration of Chapter one at the hands of the first mate. The story revolves around scuttling a sailing vessel "The Red Witch" that contained a cargo of five million in Gold Bullion. There is competition between the owners and Captain Ralls (John Wayne) who plays an ambivilant character who sides with whatever group is most advantageous at the time. The story is told from the perspective of the first mate and utilized the "flashback" technique similar to "Casablanca" but spends considerable time filling you in on how the present situation developed. Although this is in glorious B&W, the island scenery and romance of the age of sail work wonders along with casual romances and adventure to make this a great and interesting film to watch.Movie Review: The Duke finds love & a giant octopus in classic adventure!
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't believe this is the first 5-star review of "Wake of the Red Witch". Ever since I was a child it's been one of my very favorite John Wayne films. Maybe it's the greedy quest for the valuable pearls, or the conflict between Captain Ralls (John Wayne) & Captain Sydneye (Luther Adler), who compete fiercely for both the treasure & the lovely Angelique (Gail Russell). Or maybe it's the doomed romance that makes this so watchable. The Duke was awesome with Gail Russell in this classic as well as the wonderful western "Angel & the Badman". John Wayne made some of his best movies in the late 40's, but for some reason this classic (from 1949) has been largely forgotten. Well, at least it's on dvd. The picture quality is very good but unfortunately there are no special features, not even the trailer. If you're a big John Wayne fan & want to see him in a rare non-western role, then this is a definite must-see!Movie Review: One of my husband's favorite John Wayne movies
Summary: 5 Stars
I got this as a gift for my husband because it is his favorite John Wayne movies. I thought he would faint when he opened it. The price was incredible and the quality of the disk was impressive for such an old movie.Movie Review: Best of The Duke!
Summary: 5 Stars
What's to say?? It's the Duke!!! One of his best early movies! A don't miss !Movie Review: John Wayne aims to settle a score over a beautiful woman
Summary: 4 Stars
John Wayne plays a drunken, embittered sea captain who intentionally wrecks his ship laden with gold. The owner of the ship is a wealthy magnate who used his money and influence to steal a beautiful woman from Wayne, and Wayne is now going to get even. He intends to return to the site of the wreck to collect the gold for himself. After a court of inquiry clears Wayne of responsibility for the wreck, the film takes a long flashback so the audience can learn why Wayne intentionally wrecked his ship and why he hates the owner. The pair battled over the love of a beautiful woman (Gail Russell - what a tragic life, she was so beautiful) who ultimately marries the wealthy magnate. Along the way Wayne tangles with a giant octopus and becomes a god to local natives before the tragic finale.
This is an unconventional role for Wayne; he plays a drunken, embittered captain filled with anger and deep bouts of melancholy. In one of the opening scenes, he beats the daylights out of one of his crewmen in a drunken rage. Unlike many of Wayne's westerns, he does not play the straight and narrow good guy in this film, his role could definitely be characterized as an anti-hero. I'm generally a big fan of Wayne's films, some of the other reviews rate this as their favorite. I personally think there are several better JW films (Rio Bravo being my personal choice), but this is still a good story. There is not much in the way of extras on this DVD, but the price is pretty easy on the wallet. A typical good John Wayne film, if not uniquely outstanding.