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{{short description|1955 film}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = The Sea Chase
| image          = The Sea Chase 1955.jpg
| caption        = 
| director       = [[John Farrow]]
| producer       = John Farrow
| screenplay     = [[James Warner Bellah]]<br>and [[John Twist]]<br>[[Frank S. Nugent]] ''(uncredited)''<ref name=afi>{{AFI film|51644}}</ref>
| based_on       = {{based on|''The Sea Chase''<br>1948 novel|[[Andrew Geer]]}}
| narrator       = [[David Farrar (actor)|David Farrar]]
| starring       = {{Plain list|
* [[John Wayne]]
* [[Lana Turner]]
}}
| music          = [[Roy Webb]]
| cinematography = [[William Clothier (cinematographer)|William Clothier]]
| editing        = [[William Ziegler (film editor)|William Ziegler]]
| distributor    = [[Warner Bros.]]
| released       = {{Film date|1955|6|4}}
| runtime        = 116-17 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = 
| gross          = $6 million (US)<ref>'The Top Box-Office Hits of 1955', ''Variety Weekly'', January 25, 1956</ref>
}}

'''''The Sea Chase''''' is a 1955 World War II [[drama film]] starring [[John Wayne]] and [[Lana Turner]], and featuring [[David Farrar (actor)|David Farrar]], [[Lyle Bettger]], and [[Tab Hunter]]. It was directed by [[John Farrow]] from a screenplay by [[James Warner Bellah]] and [[John Twist]] based on the novel of the same name by [[Andrew Geer]]. The plot is a nautical [[cat and mouse]] adventure, with Wayne determined to get his freighter home to Germany during the opening months of World War II, chased relentlessly across the Pacific then Atlantic oceans by the [[Royal Australian Navy|Australian]] and then [[Royal Navy|British]] navies.

The film was shot in [[CinemaScope]] and [[WarnerColor]].

==Plot==
Captain Karl Ehrlich ([[John Wayne]]) is the master of the aging German steam freighter ''Ergenstrasse'', home port [[Hamburg]], docked at [[Sydney]], Australia, on the eve of the Second World War. Ehrlich is a former [[Kriegsmarine|German Navy]] officer who lost his command after refusing to support the Nazi regime. As his ship prepares for sea to avoid internment, Erlich meets with an old friend, British Royal Navy Commander Jeff Napier ([[David Farrar (actor)|David Farrar]]), plus Napier's German fiancée Elsa Keller ([[Lana Turner]]). Ehrlich knows Elsa has a dubious past and tries to break them up by reminding Elsa of her past trysts, to which she chuckles and smiles.

With war imminent because Germany has [[Invasion of Poland|invaded Poland]], the ''Ergenstrasse'' prepares to slip away. The German Consul-General asks Ehrlich to transport an ''[[Abwehr]]'' spy who risks capture. It is only leaving Sydney, in thick fog during night, that Ehrlich discovers the spy is Elsa, who had seduced Napier and drawn out military information from him. Elsa is cynically dismissive of Ehrlich's personal integrity. Ehrlich's chief officer, the pro-Nazi Kirchner ([[Lyle Bettger]]), who is also with German intelligence, soon makes advances on Elsa. Erlich intervenes and stymies Kirchner’s overtures towards Elsa.

Old, slow and short on coal, the ''Ergenstrasse'' is seen as easy prey by the Royal Australian Navy and by Napier in particular, who understandably holds a grudge. The wily Ehrlich leads his enemies on a chase across the Pacific Ocean, pausing only briefly for supplies at an unmanned rescue station on [[Auckland Island]]. Three fishermen are already marooned there, but Kirchner casually murders them and takes most of their supplies. He tells no one. The pursuing Napier discovers the bodies and, believing his old friend is responsible, vows to bring Ehrlich to justice as a [[war criminal]].

Ehrlich, meanwhile, sets course for the remote, uninhabited Pacific island of Pom Pom Galli{{efn|This fictitious island is also mentioned in the film ''[[La Classe américaine]]'' (1993).}} in the [[Tuamotus]]. Running out of coal, Ehrlich begins burning wood from the ship for fuel, upsetting crewmen when the lifeboats are burned. A potential [[mutiny]] is averted as they reach the island. While Ehrlich drives the crew to harvest timber there for fuel, he impresses Elsa with his humane side. Discovering that Kirchner murdered the fishermen, an angry Ehrlich forces him to sign an account of his actions in the ship's log. Then Erlich punches Kirchner in the mouth, drawing blood and knocking his hair askew.

Napier finally convinces the ''Rockhampton''{{'}}s captain that Ehrlich will be at Pom Pom Galli, but they arrive too late. Both ships make for [[Valparaíso]] in neutral [[Chile]], where Napier cannot attack. In port, a frustrated Napier confronts Ehrlich about the murders, slapping Erlich and calling him a murderer and coward. Ehrlich says that if they catch the ''Ergenstrasse'' they can read the truth in his log. Meanwhile Elsa learns the truth herself, distances herself from Kirchner, and declares her love for Ehrlich. They share the captain’s cabin for the remainder of the voyage.

Luck is with the ''Ergenstrasse'' when the ''Rockhampton'' is [[Battle of the River Plate|called away to support cruisers]] facing the German [[pocket battleship]] ''[[German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee|Graf Spee]]'' in [[Montevideo]], [[Uruguay]]. Napier requests a transfer to the British naval patrols in the [[North Sea]], believing that Ehrlich must pass that way in his attempt to reach [[Kiel]]. Napier flies to England as the ''Ergenstrasse'', resupplied with coal and lifeboats, departs for Germany.

For political reasons, German radio broadcasts a message through [[Lord Haw-Haw]] disclosing the ''Ergenstrasse's'' position near Norway, thus exposing the ship to the Royal Navy and the prowling Napier, now commanding a [[corvette]]. Napier tracks down Ehrlich's ship and sinks it in the [[North Sea]]. Ehrlich orders the crew to evacuate and take the ship's log. Then, instead of the swastika-flag of the [[Third Reich]], Ehrlich hoists the battle flag of the [[Imperial German Navy]], in which he had been an officer aboard the [[SMS Moltke]] at the [[Battle of Jutland]]. Only he, Elsa, and an unwilling Kirchner remain aboard for a short, one-sided battle, during which Erlich and Kirchner get into another fight and Elsa embraces Erlich as the ''Ergenstrasse'' is bombarded. Their fate is unclear but the other crewmen hand over the log, proving to Napier that Kirchner committed the murders alone.

==Cast==
{{col-begin}}{{col-break}}
* [[John Wayne]] as Captain Karl Ehrlich
* [[Lana Turner]] as Elsa Keller
* [[David Farrar (actor)|David Farrar]] as Lieutenant Commander Jeff Napier RN
* [[Lyle Bettger]] as Chief Officer Kirchner
* [[Tab Hunter]] as Cadet Wesser
* [[James Arness]] as Schleiter
* [[Dick Davalos]] as Cadet Walter Stemme
* [[John Qualen]] as Chief Engineer Schmitt
* [[Paul Fix]] as Max Heinz
{{col-break|gap=4em}}
* [[Lowell Gilmore]] as Captain Evans
* [[Luis Van Rooten]] as Matz
* [[Alan Hale (actor, born 1921)|Alan Hale]] as Wentz
* [[Wilton Graff]] as Consul-General Hepke
* [[Peter Whitney]] as Bachman
* [[Claude Akin]] as Winkler
* [[John Doucette]] as Bos'n
* Alan Lee as Brounck
{{col-end}}

'''Cast notes:'''
*It was originally announced that the Australian actor [[Michael Pate]] would play the ship's radio operator, but he does not appear in the final film.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71670662 |title=She's been off the screen, but now. HEPBURN IS BACK. |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |location=Melbourne |date=30 July 1955 |accessdate=6 April 2012 |page=43 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
*In an unintentional parallel with her character Elsa in this film, actress Lana Turner had several relationships with men and was married seven times.

==Production==
Warner Bros bought the film rights to the novel, which was published in 1948,<ref>{{cite news |author=C. B. P. |date=November 28, 1948 |title=The Sea Chase |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |p=BR30}}</ref> and John Wayne was announced for the lead in June 1951, with Bolton Mallory reported to be working on the script.<ref>{{cite news |author-link=Hedda Hopper |last=Hopper |first=Hedda |date=July 13, 1951 |title=Looking at Hollywood: John Wayne Gets Top Role in 'The Sea Chase' at Warners |newspaper=[[Chicago Daily Tribune]] |p=A6}}</ref> Soon after, James Warner Bellah was announced as working on the script.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pryor |first=Thomas M. |date=September 15, 1951 |title=Roy Rogers Tests TV Deal for Film: Suit in Los Angeles Court May Decide Issue of Sale of Movies for Use on Television Metro Plans Documentary |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |p=B7}}</ref>

Production of the film was delayed for a while. In August 1953 [[John Farrow]], who had made ''[[Hondo (film)|Hondo]]'' with Wayne, signed as director.<ref>{{cite news |author-link=Hedda Hopper |last=Hopper |first=Hedda |date=August 25, 1953 |title=Farrow Will Direct Wayne in 'Sea Chase' |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |p=A6}}</ref> Frank Nugent rewrote the script.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pryor |first=Thomas M. |date=July 10, 1954 |title=Robbins is Sued on Ballet Rights: Associates in 'High Button Shoes' Assert His Claim to Ownership Delays Film" |work=[[The New York Times]] |p=7}}</ref> Filming finally began in September 1954. [[MGM]] loaned Lana Turner to the production for this film.<ref name=afi />

John Wayne later said Farrow "didn't really have a great deal to do with" ''Hondo'' because it was a Batjac production and "Everything was set up before he came on it. But he did direct ''Sea Chase'' and prove to me that he should not be put in charge of a producer-director position. He failed to tell the good story that was in the book. But now, we're talking about a matter of opinion and that's only my opinion. For some, he may be considered a fine director."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=John Wayne Talks Tough: An interview by Joe McInerney|last=McInerney|first= Joe|magazine= [[Film Comment]]|date=September–October 1972|pages=52–55}}</ref>

Although both the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the coastline of [[Mexico]] were considered as shooting locations, some parts of the film were shot in the waters around the [[Hawaiian Islands]].

John Wayne came down with ear infections twice during the shooting of the film, and two other actors received infections due to skin diving.<ref name=afi />

The song that Lana Turner sings is ''"Steh' Ich im Finster Mitternacht"'', which is also known as ''"Treue Liebe"''. The German song had English lyrics written specifically for the film.<ref name=afi />

The fictional HMAS ''Rockhampton'' is played by {{HMCS|New Glasgow|K320|6}}, a Canadian {{sclass2|River|frigate}} as a wartime emergency anti-submarine escort. She was placed in reserve in 1945, but in 1954 had recently been updated and recommissioned as a {{sclass|Prestonian|frigate|1}}. This class has a classic wartime outline, similar to the {{sclass|Black Swan|sloop|5}} and {{sclass|Grimsby|sloop|1}}s operated by the [[Royal Navy]] and [[Royal Australian Navy]] in 1939 including HMS ''Morecambe Bay'' and {{HMS|Wellington|U65|2}}, which served in the Pacific, and is now a museum ship on the [[River Thames]] in London.

A recent discovery{{when|date=April 2023}}{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} of the film's script suggests an alternative ending in which Kirchner drowns and Erlich and Elsa are rescued only to be thrown overboard on Napier’s orders after he discovers that Elsa has been unfaithful to him with Erlich.

==Factual basis==
The script was adapted from a novel of the same name by Andrew Geer, which in turn was based on an incident involving the 1929-built German [[Norddeutscher Lloyd]] steamer ''[[SS Erlangen (1929)|Erlangen]]'' (6,100 tons). Under the captaincy of Alfred Grams, the freighter slipped out of [[Otago Harbour]], New Zealand, on 28 August 1939, on the very eve of war, ostensibly for [[Port Kembla, New South Wales]], where she was to have filled her coal bunkers for the homeward passage to Europe.<ref name="danger">{{Cite journal |last=Brenstrum |first=Erick |date=May–Jun 2015 |title=Danger isles |url=https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/danger-isles/ |journal=[[New Zealand Geographic]] |issue=133 |access-date=21 December 2024}}</ref>

She then headed for the subantarctic [[Auckland Islands]], where she successfully evaded the cruiser {{HMNZS|Leander}} and re-stocked with food and wood, cutting down large swathes of the [[Metrosideros umbellata|Southern Rata]] forest on the shores of [[Carnley Harbour]].<ref name="danger" /> The freighter then made a desperate and successful escape—using jerry-rigged sails—to [[Ancud]] in southern Chile. She subsequently made her way into the [[South Atlantic]], where she was intercepted off [[Montevideo]] on 24 July 1941 by {{HMS|Newcastle|C76|6}}, and scuttled by her crew.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 August 1947 |title=The End of the Erlangen |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/RMPOST19470805.2.7.4 |access-date=18 April 2025 |work=Rotorua Morning Post |page=3 |issue=3446}}</ref>

Though using the same basic plot as the film, the book painted Kirchner as the hero and Ehrlich as the villain, essentially swapping their roles; the book portrays Kirchner and Keller as unintended victims of Erlich's obsession, though in both stories, the key characters all appear to go down with the ship at the climax.

A {{Sclass|Bathurst|corvette|1}} named {{HMAS|Rockhampton||6}} was built by [[Walkers Limited]] in Queensland in 1942 for the [[Royal Australian Navy]]. She operated in Australian and New Guinea waters during the later years of the Second World War, three years after the events depicted in the film.

==See also==
{{portal|Film}}
* [[List of American films of 1955]]
* [[List of World War II films]]
* [[John Wayne filmography]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{AFI film|51644}}
* {{IMDb title|0048593}}
* {{TCMDb title|3886}}

{{John Farrow}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sea Chase}}
[[Category:1955 films]]
[[Category:1955 drama films]]
[[Category:American war drama films]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:Films directed by John Farrow]]
[[Category:Films set in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Films set in Chile]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hawaii]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:World War II naval films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Roy Webb]]
[[Category:CinemaScope films]]
[[Category:1950s English-language films]]
[[Category:1950s American films]]
[[Category:1950s war drama films]]
[[Category:English-language war drama films]]