Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

Clarissa Mora The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Derry Herrera Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Kinley This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

kekseksa A fact little appreciated about the McCarthyite "white terror' in the US is the degree to which its long-term effects have been so long-lasting that one might reasonably describe them as permanent. What is remarkable about all the many commentaries on this film, there is virtually no awareness of its significance in the US politics of the 1940s, this despite the fact that director Curtiz and composer Korngold weer both refugees from Nazism (a fact that Curtiz would dramatise in a remarkable way a few years later in Casablamca), that scenarist Rossen was a Communist, that Robinson was probably Hollywood's most outspoken anti-Fascist, that Garfield would be a leading figure in the resistance to McCarthyism...So forget the vague and confused talk about capitalism and anti-capitalism (although evidently the ultra-capitalist system in the US is relevant) or the talk of the importance of social Darwinism "at the time it was written (Rooseveltian eugenics -Teddy of that ilk). Social Darwinism had never been a more importance issue than it had become in 1941. Leading US eugenecist Leon Whitney's The Passing of the Great Race (1916) was described by a young German fan (Hitler, Adolf by name) as "his Bible" and the Nazis greatly admired the eugenicist systems (compulsory sterilisation) in operation in many US states, and particularly) the model system in force in....California.This version of the Jack London novel is not precisely a political allegory; Wolf Larsen, in many ways a sympathetic figure, is not Hitler although there are inevitably important points of similarity. He is, after all, only the younger brother of "Death". But it is a film noir of sorts rather than just "a ship film" because of its relevance to the political situation both - and that needs to be emphasised - both in Nazi Germany and in the US. The little hell of The Ghost bears a resemblance certainly to the thug-rule of the Nazis but beyond that, in the frame-story, Rossen has built on London's already socialist base a vision of an encroaching police-state (similar to that portrayed in London's later dystopic novel The Iron Heel). It is no coincidence that both the character played by Garfield and that played by Lupino are the subject of police-hunts for reasons we do not know but which we are invited to assume are unserious. The Ghost itself is, as the name applies, is only the reflection of real society (in a premonitory version) . "Inside or out it is all the same"Rossen, Garfield, Robinson (grey-listed despite his eminence) and Knox (obliged to leave the US) were all later victims to some extent or another of McCarthyism, guilty of Communist sympathies or what the witch-hunters would call "premature anti-Fascism" which mean anti-Fascist held prior to...well, any time really.Curtiz, who laid very low, escaped. His communist sympathies went back to his time in Hungary (see the remarkable little propaganda film Jön az öcsém 1919) and was not known about in the US. Although, in the forties, he would also make the strongly pro-Russian Mission to Moscow he could claim (correctly) that this was at the behest of the Roosevelt government (Franklin of that ilk) and, although this was still regarded by the McCarthyites as un-Ameican, it was the studio that was hauled over the coals not the director (one suspects Warners were deliberately protecting Curtiz)."Informing", a systematic weapon of all police-states but particularly important in the case both of Nazism and of McCarthyism, is one of the subjects raised in The Sea Wolf. Brutal interrogation is another theme. "I had a dream, horrible dream. Someone kept on hitting me. I begged them to stop but they just kept on hitting...(sees the captain) it was NO dream". Another theme, relevant to both societies - that of Nazi Germany and the US - is that of the oppression of the already oppressed, the persecution of the already persecuted....Most USians are aware that McCarthyism existed but prefer to regard it (as they do segregational racism!!) as some sort of passing phase. Relatively few seem really aware of the degree to which its ethic remains ingrained in US attitudes. Robert Rossen, constantly interrogated, sick, alcoholic and depressed, who ended by naming names (57 varieties) to the HUAAC, was the most typical victim of McCarthyism, lacking even the dignified response of Dr. Louis J. Precott in the film. He made one very fine film thereafter (The Hustler) but died, in a remarably fitting manner, in 1966 at the age of just....57.

Idiot-Deluxe Though impossible to know, I'd be willing to bet Jack London himself would have approved of this gritty and tension-filled treatment of his work, it's exceedingly rare that a well-known literary classic, also equals a classic film of the same name - but such is the case for: Jack London's "The Sea Wolf". Directed by Mike Curtiz and released in 1941, this black and white drama on the high seas is one of a handful of drama's I like, everything seems to gel just right, starting with it's terrific casting and fine acting, most especially that of Edward G. Robinson's Oscar-worthy performance in the central role of Captain Wolf Larson. Greatness abounds from the very start in this classic film, with its striking opening title sequence, powerfully enhanced by the best opening theme of Erich Wolfgang Korngolds career, his music fits the film perfectly. Since this is primarily dramatic material, what action there is takes a backseat to an assortment odious personalities and clashing of wills among members of the crew aboard the Ghost, which is the name of Larson's ship, a whaling schooner - but known as a Hell Ship by it's crew.The main point of emphasis of the film is the plight of its principal characters (Ida Lupino, John Garfield and Alexander Knox), who were either forced aboard (by press gang tactic's) fished out of the sea (ship wreck victims) or in Garfield's case, willingly came aboard and the constant air of angst and growing discontent, that's palpable throughout the film. Not enough credit can be given to Edward G. Robinson for his performance, very easily one of his finest hours; beside him are some very colorful and entertaining crew mates, particularly "Cooky", played by the diminutive scene-stealer extraordinaire Barry Fitzgerald. Based upon a solid literary foundation, masterful in it's buildup of mutinous tension and suspense and it's terrifically bleak and cruel atmosphere, The Sea Wolf is an A-rate drama in every sense of the word. Watch it - you won't regret it.Now here's a nugget of interest, for some at least, on the matter of ancient celluloid - long lost. On it's initial release 75 years ago in 1941, the film ran about 15 minutes longer than current prints, however those long-playing prints are now supposedly all lost. Though there has long been rumored of such a print existing in vault owned by the late John Garfield who starred in the film. Naturally, as good as everything else is about The Sea Wolf, I for one would love to see that missing footage. You know John Garfield has been dead since 1952, is this rumored vault really STILL sealed??? Kinda taking on a King Tut's tomb quality isn't it. A Cinematic Intrigue (of cinematic treasure).The Sea Wolf remains one of the great mysteries of home video (or of Warner Video) and as of May 2016 it's yet to be issued on DVD or Blu-ray. It exists on archaic dust-covered VHS, however it's 2016, who watches tapes any more. Catch it on TCM, that's your best option. A real shame this classic film doesn't get the treatment and respect it deserves. WTF WB!!! WTF!!!???**Update** Elated to report that Warner Bros has f-i-n-a-l-l-y released The Sea Wolf on Blu-ray and to put it simply, this 76 year-old film has never looked better and now beautifully rendered in Hi-Def. Also, having been restored to it's original play length of 100 minutes The Sea Wolf now - once again - has all of it's teeth.

ilbarone139 I have read all of Jack London's Book's. I understand why Screenwriters change certain scenes; and just as CLARK GABLE in "Call of the Wild" was perfection so was Edward G.Robinson is "Sea Wolf".. Even as unimpressive in Physical size (5'4"), depicting an TYRANT whose Crew are AFRAID; E.G.R. Commanded as if on a Stage. He alone made this motion picture stand out. The entire cast are actors whom honed their craft on stage. Barry Fitzgerald for once playing against his typecast angel, priest, Uncle roles as in "How Green was My Valley" and "The Quiet Man".. Here he is sinister,stool pigeon,creepy and he plays it to the Hilt.In an impromptu altercation with George (Garfield) character he strikes first and subsequently stabs George; whereupon Capt Wolf states to Dr Louie Prescott (Gene Lockhart) well do the transfusion already, Cookie already did the hard part. As an aside E.G.R., J.G. & Howard Da Silva are all Russian Jewish Ethnicity E.G.R. actual immigrant. Da Silva was Blacklisted by HUAC which although exonerated hurt his Career, and he had TREMENDOUS stage presence owing to his commanding voice. Alexander Knox as the writer in essence portrayed two roles both antagonist to Wolfe. Now Knox is the consummate Actor especially in biblical roles. He could read a phone book over the radio and be convincing in his role. Ida Lupino was under utilized here. A Great actress, director whom could play easy girls, sophisticated ladies, here she played both did not have much screen time to convey her worth. Another 'actor' was the ongoing FOG. Making this a great FILM NOIR. Direction was very good, as if these actors needed any. I am not a Garfield fan, although his emotion shined in this movie, in spite of his early wimpy performance in "Postman".Knox quoting to Wolf you are despicable and Rather REIGN in Hell than Serve in Heaven.. The last scene which differentiates from novel as writer shot by Captain; shows Wolf as water pouring in from all sides going down with the ship and he appears to accept same as his 'Way of Life'..

theoshul Am I the only one who prefers EddieGRob when he DOESN'T play gun-toting mobsters? My favorites are DOUBLE INDEMNITY, Dr. ERLICH'S MAGIC BULLET, and this one. Here's he's a villain, quite a bit tougher than Rico or Johnny Rocco, and his weapons are not guns, but his own hands and his enemies' weaknesses. And, unlike in most of his villain-roles, in this one he expresses real vulnerability. He actually makes me feel sorry for the dirty, sadistic bastard he plays.Besides him, Ida Lupino, Barry Fitzgerald, and John Garfield play extremely well. And do not overlook the music by the great post-Wagnerian composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who ought to be much better-known than he is. Really if there were a concert consisting just of the soundtrack to this movie, it would be well worth the price of admission.Weaknesses of this movie include wooden acting by the protagonist (Alexander Knox) and by Gene Lockhart (whose role, to be fair, is very badly-written).