This film is a classic in every way. The story is first rate. It deals with multiple themes that are profound and timeless. The characters are well-developed, human and sympathetic. There is no villain here; the story's conflict arises from the understandable differences between people, their different perspectives and their different values. The cast is uniformly outstanding in its portrayal of these diverse characters. This is a film about great concepts presented in a tale of adventure. It is to be savored on many levels. The cinematography is good, and it incorporates in an almost seamless way footage of actual whaling vessels and the activities on them. (Animal rights activists will, no doubt, declaim against this depiction of the whaling industry. We should not ignore history, however, in the name of political correctness. Horrific or not, the events depicted actually occurred.)
Themes: Age vs. Youth. Experience vs. Education. Individual needs vs. Group needs. Responsibility vs. Personal desire. Justice vs. Mercy. Respect vs. Affection. Intellect vs. Sentiment. To mention a few.
Cast: Lionel Barrymore, Richard Widmark, Dean Stockwell - Each of these three principals was never better. They realistically portray people in conflict with each other and with their own emotions and values. Cecil Kellaway, Jay C. Flippen and Harry Morgan are all under-appreciated, versatile character actors of the first order who are flawless in their roles. Gene Lockhart, John McIntire and Harry Davenport, in lesser roles, deliver their customarily fine performances. Taken together, this is a truly incredible cast, each member of which is a delight to fans of films from the Golden Age. What a treat!
The score: Fabulous in its restraint, underscoring scenes with subtlety and sometimes entirely absent to allow us to enjoy the sound of the howling wind or splash of the powerful ocean or tramping of solitary boots on stairs.
For my money, this is a far superior film to Captains Courageous. In its universality of themes, strength of characters and acting performances, this belongs in any survey of Hollywood's top 100 films - maybe in the top half. Now, will somebody please explain to me why TCM doesn't broadcast this film more often?
Themes: Age vs. Youth. Experience vs. Education. Individual needs vs. Group needs. Responsibility vs. Personal desire. Justice vs. Mercy. Respect vs. Affection. Intellect vs. Sentiment. To mention a few.
Cast: Lionel Barrymore, Richard Widmark, Dean Stockwell - Each of these three principals was never better. They realistically portray people in conflict with each other and with their own emotions and values. Cecil Kellaway, Jay C. Flippen and Harry Morgan are all under-appreciated, versatile character actors of the first order who are flawless in their roles. Gene Lockhart, John McIntire and Harry Davenport, in lesser roles, deliver their customarily fine performances. Taken together, this is a truly incredible cast, each member of which is a delight to fans of films from the Golden Age. What a treat!
The score: Fabulous in its restraint, underscoring scenes with subtlety and sometimes entirely absent to allow us to enjoy the sound of the howling wind or splash of the powerful ocean or tramping of solitary boots on stairs.
For my money, this is a far superior film to Captains Courageous. In its universality of themes, strength of characters and acting performances, this belongs in any survey of Hollywood's top 100 films - maybe in the top half. Now, will somebody please explain to me why TCM doesn't broadcast this film more often?