JohnHowardReid Thanks to its superior film craft, The Sea Wolf holds up well today. As the title character, Edward G. Robinson is in his swaggering, bullying element. Equally great performances from Barry Fitzgerald, John Garfield and Gene Lockhart alike rivet a contemporary audience's attention. Admittedly, as the nominal hero, Alexander Knox is a little too weak and spineless for modern tastes; whilst Ida Lupino seems too glamorous to retain credibility as an escaped convict. On the other hand, the anti-fascist screenplay has not dated much at all, although its fantasy elements are harder to accept in this non-romantic age. Director Curtiz handles both the picturesque elements of the tale and the dramatic with equal finesse, flair, punch and atmosphere. Some great action scenes punctuate the drama, like the early ferry capsize (though the use of miniatures here becomes obvious on a third or fourth viewing). $1 million was spent and it's all up there on the screen in marvelous photography and eye-catching sets. And Korngold has contributed an effective if uncharacteristic score.

Art Vandelay Talk, talk, philosophize, throw a punch, talk, philosophize, throw a punch, philosophize, talk some more. Good gawd this movie is tedious. Waste of a good performance by Robinson. He should have been in every scene. Instead we get a pointless Garfield, that simp writer, and the wimpering Lupinon. I also wanted to punch Barry Fitzgerald in the face for two reasons: that stupid Irish accent and, well, that stupid Irish accent.

marcslope Warners in the early 1940s excelled at a number of genres, but it rarely produced works as relentlessly downbeat as this very good adaptation of a Jack London novel. It's grim and pessimistic for virtually its entire running time, and rich in atmosphere--the Ghost, the troubled ship on which it's set, is palpably filthy, leaky, and wet, and its madman captain, the always excellent Edward G. Robinson, is a sadist, albeit capable of introspection and thoughtfulness. But what a miserable crew he commands, full of good character actors; even Barry Fitzgerald turns off his monotonous Irish twinkle for a change and paints a complex portrait. John Garfield, though given star billing, hasn't that much to do, and we spend more time with Alexander Knox, never again as interesting as he is here, as a well-to-do writer who lands unluckily on the Ghost. Ida Lupino, as a thief also unluckily aboard, broods exquisitely, and the camera never captured her better. The Korngold score, not his best, does have a maritime air about it, and Michael Curtiz paces it wonderfully--he knows when to slow down. As an exploration of man's venality, and in its willingness to provide a less-than-totally-happy ending, it goes deeper than many sea adventures from the same era, and it has atmosphere that stays with you for days.

Rindiana Intensely atmospheric and well-crafted adaptation of Jack London's famous novel featuring a strong cast starring Edward G. Robinson in one of his greatest roles, wonderful black-and-white photography and an absorbing and fast-moving (though maybe a bit too condensed) storyline.Some narrative weaknesses here and there - what about Larsen's brother? - and some hasty character development prevent this solid movie from being a minor Warner classic.Still the best version of London's story as far as I know and miles ahead of Raimund Harmstorf's potato crushing.7 out of 10 foggy days at sea