John Wayne’s career is often viewed through the lens of his outspoken nationalist ideals, which influenced not only his public persona but also his choice of roles. His strong beliefs made him a divisive figure in the politically charged climate of mid-20th-century Hollywood. It wasn’t uncommon for Wayne to turn down parts that he deemed unpatriotic.He famously refused an offerto lead the cast inHigh Noon, for which his replacement,Gary Cooper,snagged an Academy Award. Similarly, when the producers ofAll the King’s Mencame knocking,Wayne couldn’t stand the script that clashed with his political views, and again,Broderick Crawfordwalked away with the golden statuette for playing the iconic Willie Stark.Wayne passed on many roles for his beliefs, and collaborators often avoided political discussions with him to sidestep conflict.
However, there remains a debate about whether Wayne was a student of his own teachings. Critics often spark this debate over speculation around his failure to enlist during World War II.Some have argued that his focus on advancing his careerovershadowed his patriotic rhetoric. InJohn Farrow’s 1955 World War II filmThe Sea Chase, it is quite intriguing to see himtake on a role that places him opposite his own pro-nationalist views.Wayne portrays a German naval captain, Karl Ehrlich, who is in charge of the ship “Ergenstrasse.” Upon Britain’s declaration of war on Germany, Karl, who, no surprise, is an anti-Nazi crusader, makes the bold decision to return his crew safely to Germany from Sydney, Australia, knowing too well that he would have to outsmart the Allied forces at sea to succeed.
John Wayne Defies Nationalism in ‘The Sea Chase’
Wayne’s portrayal of Karl Ehrlich dives into the nuances of patriotism. As the captain of a German merchant ship caught inthe throes of World War II, Ehrlich’s commitment to his crew supersedes his allegiance to the Nazi regime. Even though he loves his country, he refuses to defect to the Allies when presented with the opportunity. But, simultaneously, he is not willing to fight alongside the Nazis, as he despises their political leadership. As the Allies and the Axis Powers wage war,Karl experiences his own internal turmoil throughout his journey back home.He is obsessed with doing what he believes is right, even when it doesn’t serve him or borders on ignorance. For instance, he insists on arraigning a fellow German who was aboard his ship to the Nazi courts in Germany for murdering British civilians, even though he knows the odds aren’t in his favor. When caught up in a propaganda spat between his compatriots and their adversaries, he must choose between duty and conscience. Wayne’s character’s arc is strengthened by the romantic subplot withLana Turner’s Elsa Keller, a conflicted woman spying for the Nazi regime. Their relationship is about longing and loss, as well as a test of the wartime moral dilemmas they face.
The Sea Chasealso delves into broader themes that war brings on board, such as betrayal, lost friendships, and fatal romance. John Farrow has a strong supporting cast that gives credence to the script’s memorable supporting characters. Among these are decent performances byDavid Farrar, who plays Karl’s longtime friend separated by the war at hand;Lyle Bettgeralso offers a commendable showing as a Nazi adherent who often clashes with Karl; as well asPaul Fix, who lends his vast experience that saw him not only becomeWayne’s mentor but also share the screen with Wayne in at least 26 films.
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John Wayne Criticized Director John Farrow for ‘The Sea Chase’s Lost Potential
DespiteThe Sea Chase’s layered narrative,Wayne was outspoken in his dissatisfaction with director John Farrow’s handling of the adaptation.The film is based onAndrew Geer’s novelbut deviates significantly from the source material in what Wayne sees as a dilution of the moral ambiguity of his character. In the book, Karl is a much more complex anti-Nazi rebel than Wayne’s character, whose depiction is obsessed with his anti-Nazism, ostensibly to align with Wayne’s star persona and Cold War-era sensibilities. InJohn Wayne Talks Tough: An Interview by Joe McInerney, Wayne is quoted saying of Farrow:
“He (Farrow) did direct (The)Sea Chaseand prove to me that he should not be put in charge of a producer-director position. He failed to tell the good story that was in the book. But now we’re talking about a matter of opinion, and that’s only my opinion. For some, he may be considered a fine director. " - John Wayne.
However,The Sea Chaseretains redeeming qualities with its maritime setting, with beautifully rendered shots sweeping the open sea and the adventures of the crew as they navigate treacherous sea waters and desolate islands. Teeming with tense naval pursuits and stormy sequences,The Sea Chaseis worth a second look.
The Sea Chase
The Sea Chase follows German captain Karl Ehrlich, an anti-Nazi, as he attempts to evade a British warship while navigating treacherous waters from Sydney at the onset of World War II. His mission becomes complicated by the presence of Elsa Keller, carrying secrets, and a fiercely Nazi officer onboard.
The Sea Chaseis available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime in the U.S.
