1
Captain Calamity (1936) | Directed by John Reinhardt
1:00:36
2
Liane Jungle Goddess (1956) | Directed by Eduard von Borsody
1:25:51
3
Captain Kidd (1945) | Directed by Rowland V. Lee
1:27:31
4
Beat the Devil (1953) | Directed by John Huston
1:29:19
5
Only Angels Have Wings (1939) | Directed by Howard Hawks
2:01:03
6
Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) | Directed by John Huston
2:00:59
7
Four Men and a Prayer (1938) | Directed by John Ford
1:22:07
8
Lassie in Hills of Home (1948) | Directed by Fred M. Wilcox
1:36:11
9
Torrid Zone (1940) | Directed William Keighley
1:24:28
10
Robinson Crusoe (1954) | Directed by Luis Buñuel
1:28:48
11
Long John Silver (1954) | Directed by Byron Haskin
1:45:56
12
Spy Hunt (1950) | American adventure film directed by George Sherman
1:14:55
13
The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952) | American adventure film directed by Henry King
1:53:49
14
Sea Devils (1953) | British-American adventure film directed by Raoul Walsh
1:26:40
15
The King of the Khyber Rifles (1953) | An adventure film directed by Henry King
1:35:49
16
The Most Dangerous Game (1932) | Adventure film directed by Irving Pichel & Ernest B. Schoedsack
1:02:22
17
Captain Pirate (1952) | Directed by Ralph Murphy
1:25:03
18
Thunder in the Pines (1949) | Directed by Robert Gordon
1:00:27
19
Jungle Goddess (1948) | Directed by Lewis D. Collins
1:03:47
20
Fangs of the Wild (1954) | Directed by William F. Claxton
1:12:03
21
Beneath the 12-Mile Reef (1953) | Directed by Robert D. Webb
1:41:55
22
Alaska Seas (1954) | Directed by Jerry Hopper
1:17:06
23
Blowing Wild (1953) | American adventure drama film directed by Hugo Fregonese
1:29:45
24
The Son of Zorro (1947) | Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet
3:00:56
25
Son of Fury (1942) | Directed by John Cromwell
1:38:25
26
White Woman (1933) | Directed by Stuart Walker
1:08:11
27
Spoilers of the North (1947) | Directed by Richard Sale
1:06:00
28
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) | Directed by Harold Young
1:32:51
29
Beau Geste (1939) | Directed by William A. Wellman
1:53:16
30
The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946) | Directed by Henry Levin
1:22:57
31
Mighty Joe Young (1949) | Directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack and Merian C. Cooper
1:33:48
32
Genevieve (1953) | Directed by Henry Cornelius
1:22:50
33
Elephant Boy (1937) | Directed by Robert J. Flaherty & Zoltan Korda
1:21:55
34
The Call of the Wild (1935) | Directed by William A. Wellman
1:31:42
35
The Wild Women of Wongo (1959) | Directed by James L. Wolcott
1:12:06
36
Hell and High Water (1954) | Directed by Samuel Fuller
1:43:08
37
Secret of the Incas (1954) | Directed by Jerry Hopper
1:41:26
38
Kim (1950) | Directed by Victor Saville
1:52:41
39
Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941) | Directed by Richard Thorpe
1:17:54
40
Fortunes of Captain Blood (1950) | Directed by Gordon Douglas
1:30:25
41
Under Two Flags (1936) | Directed by Frank Lloyd
1:33:31
42
Thief of Damascus (1952) | A historical adventure film directed by Will Jason
1:18:22
43
Treasure of the Golden Condor (1953) | Directed by Delmer Daves
1:33:00
44
Man and His Mate (1940) Alternate title for "One Million B.C." Directed by Hal Roach & Hal Roach Jr.
1:20:27
45
Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941) | Directed by John English & William Witney
3:35:44
46
Golden Salamander (1950) | Directed by Ronald Neame
1:33:18
47
The Black Arrow (1948) | Directed by Gordon Douglas
1:16:04
48
The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935) | Directed by Henry Hathaway
1:49:12
49
The Brigand (1952) | Directed by Phil Karlson
1:33:34
Wake of the Red Witch (1948) | Directed by Edward Ludwig
1:46:46
51
Man-Eater of Kumaon (1948) | Directed by Byron Haskin
1:19:33
52
Northwest Passage (1940) | Directed by King Vidor
2:06:32
53
Raiders of the Seven Seas (1953) | Directed by Sidney Salkow
1:28:13
54
The Jungle (1952) | Directed by William Berke
1:13:54
55
Mutiny (1952) | Directed by Edward Dmytryk
1:16:52
56
Return to Paradise (1953) | Directed by Mark Robson
1:24:31
57
If I Were King (1938) | Directed by Frank Lloyd
1:40:56
58
The Rebel's Son - The Story of Taras Bulba (1938) | Directed by Adrian Brunel
1:13:38
59
Appointment in Honduras (1953) | Directed by Jacques Tourneur
1:15:53
60
Botany Bay (1953) | Directed by John Farrow
1:33:54
61
White Witch Doctor (1953) | Directed by Henry Hathaway
1:31:59
62
Prince of Foxes (1949) | Directed by John Frankenheimer
1:46:58
63
The Four Feathers (1939) | Directed by Zoltan Korda
2:09:48
64
The Three Musketeers (1948) | Directed by George Sidney
2:05:47
65
Jungle Book (1942) | Directed by Zoltán Korda
1:45:53
66
Arabian Nights (1942) | Directed by John Rawlins
1:26:33

Wake of the Red Witch (1948) | Directed by Edward Ludwig

1 year ago
211

"Wake of the Red Witch" is an American adventure film released on December 30, 1948. Directed by Edward Ludwig, the film stars John Wayne as Captain Ralls, Gail Russell as Angelique Desaix, and Luther Adler as Mayrant Ruysdaal Sidneye, with supporting performances from Gig Young, Adele Mara, and Eduard Franz. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Garland Roark, and its screenplay was written by Harry Brown and Kenneth Gamet.

The film is set in the South Seas and centers around the bitter rivalry and complex relationship between Captain Ralls (John Wayne) and shipping magnate Mayrant Ruysdaal Sidneye (Luther Adler). The story unfolds through flashbacks, revealing the events leading to the sinking of the Red Witch, a ship carrying a fortune in gold. The narrative dives into themes of obsession, betrayal, and a tragic love triangle involving Ralls, Sidneye, and the beautiful Angelique Desaix (Gail Russell). Captain Ralls' quest for the sunken treasure, driven by revenge and a haunted past, propels the film towards its dramatic climax.

"Wake of the Red Witch" stands out for its ambitious storytelling and strong performances, particularly from John Wayne, who departs from his typical heroic roles to portray a more complex and flawed character. The film's production values, including its set design and special effects, contribute to the creation of a compelling maritime adventure. The atmospheric cinematography and the use of flashbacks effectively enhance the story's mood of mystery and impending doom.

Despite its strengths, "Wake of the Red Witch" has faced criticism for its pacing and some elements of its plot. The film's narrative can feel convoluted at times, with the flashback structure occasionally confusing viewers. Additionally, while the movie attempts to juggle adventure elements with a deeper psychological exploration of its characters, it sometimes falls short of fully developing these aspects, leading to a sense of unfulfilled potential. The romantic subplot, in particular, may seem underdeveloped to modern audiences, and the portrayal of non-Western characters and cultures reflects the era's stereotypes and may be viewed as problematic by contemporary standards.

"Wake of the Red Witch" is a distinctive entry in John Wayne's filmography, showcasing the actor's range beyond the Western genre for which he is best known. The film's attempt to blend action, romance, and psychological drama set against an exotic backdrop makes it an intriguing, if somewhat flawed, cinematic experience. Its visual achievements and ambitious story make it worth watching for fans of classic adventure films, though it might not fully satisfy those looking for a more cohesive narrative or progressive portrayal of its characters and themes.

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