Product Details

• Actors: Edward G. Robinson, Ida Lupino, John Garfield, Alexander Knox, Gene Lockhart
• Directors: Michael Curtiz
• Writers: Jack London, Robert Rossen
• Producers: Hal B. Wallis, Henry Blanke, Jack L. Warner
• Format: Black & White, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302717779
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,537 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars JACK LONDON CLASSIC., July 9, 2002

By 

"scotsladdie" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sea Wolf [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Jack London's exciting tale of the sea and of the nefarious Captain Wolf Larsen makes for a riveting, atmospheric high-seas adventure. Adapted for the screen by Robert Rossen, the story plots the course of three civilians who find themselves on board the aptly-named turn-of-the-century schooner "Ghost" helmed by the tyrannical Larsen. Edward G. Robinson, in a dynamic and complex portrayal, plays the hardened captain who finds it's "better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven". As the newest members of this "hell ship", a lovely Ida Lupino and a handsome John Garfield are both fugitives from the law; and Alexander Knox is the idealistic writer forced to face the barbaric side of human nature. Gene Lockhart does well as the drunken ship's doctor and Barry Fitzgerald is especially memorable in a surprisingly effective and offbeat characterisation as the vile cockney cook with an annoyingly sardonic laugh. This rather underrated film which was directed by the notoriously tyrannical Hungarian Michael Curtiz is definitely worth viewing: THE SEA WOLF remains a rip-roaring action film which gives berth to both high adventure and intelligent characterisations - a classic of its kind.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A blackhearted seafaring scoundrel, November 25, 2005

By 

Cory D. Slipman (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sea Wolf [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Edward G. Robinson was marvelous playing frightful and belligerent sea captain Wolf Larsen in the Michael Curtiz directed maritime drama "The Sea Wolf" based on the Jack London classic.

Robinson commanded the sailing clipper Ghost, based in 1900's San Francisco, a purported seal hunting ship but in actuality a pirate ship plundering the booty of other working ships. With a murderous bunch of blackguards as crew including the knife wielding Cooky played by Irishman Barry Fitzgerald, the ship was the scourge of the seas.

John Garfield playing George Leach signed on to the Ghost desperate to escape authorities back in San Francisco. A collision between a paddlewheeler and ocean liner in San Francisco bay caused a shipwreck. Survivors Ida Lupino playing fugitive Ruth Brewster and Alexander Knox playing writer Humphrey Van Weyden are rescued by the Ghost and become reluctant passengers on the ship.

Almost at once the new crew members are subjected to the denigration and humiliation that is standard fare for those under the authority of Larsen. In a memorable scene Gene Lockhart playing disgraced and alcoholic physician Louis Prescott who saved the life of Lupino with a blood tranfusion begs for respect from the crew. Robinson proceeds to demean him before the crew causing him to climb the mast and hurl himself off to his death on the deck. Led by Garfield they attempt an unsuccessful mutiny against Robinson.

Larsen, a conflicted man with much psychological baggage is also learned and well read. He is increasingly suffering from headaches resulting in temporary blindness and also presumably madness. His need to dominate others to prop himself up ultimately leads to his expected demise.

Curtiz leads this accomplished cast of characters using an excellent script to create meaningful interactions among them which emphasized their well defined personalities. All the acting performances were superb highlighted by Knox who played Larsen's conscience as the talented writer van Weydan, Lockhart as the dishonored doctor and of course Edward G.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Violence and Humiliation, August 30, 2002

By 

James L. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sea Wolf [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Edward G. Robinson gives one of his most vivid characterizations as Wolf Larsen, captain of the "Ghost". Robinson is hated by his entire crew, since he employs violence and humiliation to keep the men in line. Among the crew is fugitive John Garfield, who fits right in since most of the crew is made up of society's losers. Writer Alexander Knox and convict Ida Lupino are also taken aboard and they also fall victim to Robinson's cruel ways. The only way out seems to be escape or death. Garfield and Lupino are intense as usual and well-matched, although their relationship develops quicker than the story gives it time to grow. Knox is convincing as the intellectual writer who analyzes the captain and also learns about himself under extreme conditions, but he doesn't have much screen presence. Supporting players Gene Lockhart and Barry Fitzgerald have some excellent moments, with Fitzgerald a particular surprise, cast against type as one of the ship's most disagreeable characters. But it's Robinson who towers above everyone else as the cunning, cruel Wolf Larsen, one of his best performances. Director Michael Curtiz keeps the suspense up, giving the film a dark, disturbing quality. The script is literate, the music effective, and the characters are well drawn and performed. It's a very solid film.