Main Cast: Edward G. Robinson, Ida Lupino, John Garfield, Alexander Knox, Gene Lockhart
Release Year: 1941
Country: US
Run Time: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
The fifth film version of Jack London's The Sea Wolf stars Edward G. Robinson as "premature fascist" Wolf Larsen. The captain of the scavenger ship Ghost, Larsen is a heartless tyrant who can tolerate no sign of weakness in anyone. "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven" is Larsen's philosophy (borrowed from the character of Satan in Milton's Paradise Lost), and accordingly he reigns over his hellish vessel in true satanic fashion. Idealistic writer Humphrey Van Weyden (Alexander Knox) and fugitive from justice Ruth Webster (Ida Lupino) are picked up by the Ghost when their ferryboat capsizes. Realizing that their chances of getting off the boat alive are nil, Van Weyden and Ruth conspire with embittered cabin boy Leach (John Garfield) to escape. They drift in a small open boat for days, only to return to the Ghost, which has apparently been scuttled by the mutinous crew. Larsen has gone blind, but refuses to allow his crew to learn this fact, forcing Van Weyden at gunpoint to perpetuate the illusion that Larsen can still see. Ultimately, the Ghost sinks beneath the waves, carrying Larsen and Van Weyden to their doom ("This is the end of Superman!" cries Van Weyden as the ocean envelops him); Ruth and Leach manage to save themselves, rowing toward the safety of a nearby island -- and hopefully escaping to a new life. The 1941 Sea Wolf would not be the last cinematic adaptation of London's novel; multiple versions have since been produced for both film and television. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Seafaring adventure movies rarely come any better than this muscular adaptation of The Sea Wolf. The story has been filmed numerous times, and it's easy to see why: it has all the basic elements of a good tragedy plus the added appeal of an oceanic setting and opportunities for meditations on the nature of good and evil in man. If that last part sounds like heavy going, it's not; in Robert Rossen's expert screenplay, the moral arguments are among the most exciting moments in the movie. Rossen knows exactly how to highlight and phrase the dissertations on morality so that they create sparks and fire, but don't become overblown; the result is a screenplay that's all lean, no fat, but that doesn't feel rushed or skimpy. Of equal importance, Rossen (with more than able assistance from Jack London's original book) has created in Wolf Larsen the kind of towering, repugnant but fascinating character that makes an indelible impression on viewers and stays with them for weeks after. As Larsen, Edward G. Robinson gives an unforgettable performance, one of the finest of his many remarkable performances. Brooding, evil, insecure, frightened -- Robinson captures every facet of this terrible character, never more effectively than when Larsen is pretending kindness in order to set a victim up for a cruel joke. With Robinson, there's no clue that the kindness is an act until the very last minute, when he delivers his devastating blows. The rest of the cast is also top-notch, from Ida Lupino's tough but tender escapee to Barry Fitzgerald's smarmy Cooky, and Michael Curtiz deserves special praise for his spot-on direction, which never makes a false step and which creates a film that positively drips with atmosphere while never stinting for one second on the drama. The Sea Wolf has some minor flaws, but the film is so strong that they barely even register. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Refined fiction writer Humphrey van Weyden (Knox) and escaped convict Ruth Webster (Lupino) are passengers on a ship that collides with another vessel and sinks. They are rescued by the Ghost, a seal-hunting ship. At the helm is the brutal Captain Wolf Larsen (Robinson), a compassionless individual who delights in dominating and abusing his crew.
Larsen refuses to return to port early and forces van Weyden to work as the new cabin boy, replacing the rebellious George Leach (Garfield). When Prescott (Lockhart), the drunken ship's doctor, determines that the unconscious Webster needs a transfusion to survive, Larsen "volunteers" Leach, even though there is no way to test if his blood is compatible. Fortunately, it is, and she recovers. As time goes by, she comes to depend on Leach for protection and, despite himself, Leach falls in love with her.
Most of the film is centered on Larsen’s peculiar character. He is very well read, yet cannot see anything useful in his education. When Prescott complains about the way he is treated, Larsen orders the crew to respect his dignity, only to conclude by kicking the man down some stairs for his and the crew's amusement. Prescott climbs the mast and reveals that Larsen's own brother, another sea captain, is hunting him, having vowed to kill him; Prescott then throws himself to his death.
Leach and several other crewmen ambush Larsen and throw him and his first mate overboard. However, Larsen manages to grab a trailing rope, climb back aboard, and put down the mutiny. Larsen cannot afford to lose any men, so instead of punishing them, he betrays his informant, the ship’s cook (Fitzgerald), to them. They drop him in the water, holding onto a rope for dear life. Before they can pull him back in though, a shark bites off his leg.
Eventually, Leach, Webster, van Weyden, and another crewman escape on a dory. However, they discover that the wily Larsen had replaced their water supply with vinegar. The fourth man later sacrifices himself by going overboard to help conserve the little water they have.
Larsen is subject to intense headaches that leave him temporarily blind, but has managed to hide his condition from the crew. He knows that he will eventually lose his sight permanently. When Larsen's brother catches up with him, a cannon shot holes the Ghost and it starts to sink. The ship escapes into a fog bank, but Larsen goes blind again and his debility is revealed to all. The crew seizes the opportunity to take to the boats.
Then, van Weyden, Leach, and Webster sight the Ghost and, having no other choice, reboard her. The ship appears to be deserted so Leach goes below for provisions. He is surprised by Larsen and locked into a compartment. Larsen is determined to go down with the Ghost and take as many others with him as he can. Van Weyden tries to get the key from Larsen and is fatally shot, but manages to hide the fact from the now nearly blind captain. He tricks Larsen into giving Webster the key by promising to stay with Larsen to the bitter end. This act of seeming self-sacrifice disturbs Larsen, causing him to question his whole philosophy, until he realizes that van Weyden is dying. Vindicated in his own mind, Wolf Larsen awaits his demise.
