Wake of the Red WitchHigh seas adventure, with Wayne as Captain Ralls of the Red Witch, involved in a feud with Adler, owner of the East Indies Trading Company.John Wayne stars as a 19th-century sea captain out for revenge against a wealthy shipping magnate in this interesting and unlikely 1948 offering from Republic Pictures. Wayne plays the wronged Captain Ralls with a convincing bitterness that foreshadows his later work in the John Ford classic The Searchers, and his grim portrayal of Ralls hits a high point when Ralls purposely wrecks his enemy’s prize treasure ship. The painfully beautiful Gail Russell costarred with Wayne only the year before in The Angel and the Badman and delivers a memorable performance as the tragic Angelique. Gig Young also stands out as a crewman who eventually learns the truth about Ralls. Wake of the Red Witch shares similarities in both character and climax to an earlier Wayne picture, C.B. DeMille’s Reap the Wild Wind, but this film has a more direct approach in exploring the complex motivations of its characters. –Mark Savary 
Rating:  List Price: $ 9.98 Price: $ 4.10 |
(out of 15 reviews)
Review by Dave for Wake of the Red Witch
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I can’t believe this is the first 5-star review of “Wake of the Red Witch”. Ever since I was a child it’s been one of my very favorite John Wayne films. Maybe it’s the greedy quest for the valuable pearls, or the conflict between Captain Ralls (John Wayne) & Captain Sydneye (Luther Adler), who compete fiercely for both the treasure & the lovely Angelique (Gail Russell). Or maybe it’s the doomed romance that makes this so watchable. The Duke was awesome with Gail Russell in this classic as well as the wonderful western “Angel & the Badman”. John Wayne made some of his best movies in the late 40′s, but for some reason this classic (from 1949) has been largely forgotten. Well, at least it’s on dvd. The picture quality is very good but unfortunately there are no special features, not even the trailer. If you’re a big John Wayne fan & want to see him in a rare non-western role, then this is a definite must-see!
Review by Mark Savary for Wake of the Red Witch
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After the classic “Angel and the Badman”, DUKE and Gail Russell paired again for this effort, “Wake of the Red Witch”.A tale of the effects revenge, greed, and bittnerness can have on people, the story traces the duel of words and intrigue between two men; Captain Ralls (The DUKE), and shipping magnate Mayrant Sidneye.DUKE skippers Sidneye’s prize ship, the Red Witch, and purposely wrecks her in a plan to cheat Sidneye out of a cargo of gold. Turns out that Sidneye had plotted to steal away DUKE’s girl, Angelique Desaix (played by the lovely and angelic Gail Russell). Tricking DUKE into a fatal confrontation with the girl’s father, Sidneye is able to marry Angelique before The DUKE can set things right. This leads to her unhappiness, and The DUKE takes revenge on Sidneye by wrecking the Red Witch.A wonderful study of greed, revenge, and redmption, we see the tale through the eyes of a young seaman (Gig Young), who Ralls sees as his younger self.Familiar faces in the cast include Paul Fix, Henry Daniell, Jeff Corey, Erskine Sanford, and Grant Withers.Gail is gorgeous, as usual.
Review by Michael Ziegler for Wake of the Red Witch
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This seemingly obscure 1949 movie produced quietly during some of John Wayne’s greatest years of stardom is an overlooked excellent and well written drama. The movie ties into the original story and actually opens the original book and begins the narration of Chapter one at the hands of the first mate. The story revolves around scuttling a sailing vessel “The Red Witch” that contained a cargo of five million in Gold Bullion. There is competition between the owners and Captain Ralls (John Wayne) who plays an ambivilant character who sides with whatever group is most advantageous at the time. The story is told from the perspective of the first mate and utilized the “flashback” technique similar to “Casablanca” but spends considerable time filling you in on how the present situation developed. Although this is in glorious B&W, the island scenery and romance of the age of sail work wonders along with casual romances and adventure to make this a great and interesting film to watch.
Review by Carolyn Falconer for Wake of the Red Witch
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Here is a very average movie that John Wayne made during the most brilliant portion of his career. If you consider that he had just made “Red River”, Fort Apache”, & “Three Godfathers”, and was going on to make “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon”, “Sand of Iwo Jima”, “Rio Grande”, & “The Quiet Man”….then you have to say that “Wake of the Red Witch” was just bringing in a paycheck for him. It’s overly wordy, and has two extensive flashbacks which only serve to confuse the plot more. As for the DVD, it’s quality is first rate. Artisan has been very spotty putting out the Duke’s films on DVD. Some like “The Flying Tigers” have been mastered from original negatives, while others, like “The Quiet Man” look like they came from a fifth generation copy. Anyway, this transfer will not disappoint.
Review by John E. Matty for Wake of the Red Witch
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A very interesting and exciting sea picture that involves intrigue, danger, adventure, and romance. What more do you want? In addition to all of the previously mentioned offerings you have a sea monster, ie; a giant squid which is only one of many obstacles that John Wayne has to battle to retrieve valubles located in a sunken freighter.
This John Wayne film is different and unusual in that John Wayne is not the all encompassing heroe that he usually portrays in films. He starts out as a somewhat greedy, deceptive person out to get what he feels he deserves from a former employer and rival, but in the end he finds redemption from his love interest, the very beautiful, Gail Russell, who starred with Wayne in “The Angel and the Badman”, another fine Wayne western. Also, in the film is Gig Young, a great, “in my opinion”, underrated actor who does a fine job as the character with redeaming qualities, and a friend of John Wayne in the film.
They don’t make’m like this anymore! I’m sure you’ll enjoy this film, pure adventure, and a film you don’t have to analyze, just enjoy!
I recommend purchasing this film. You won’t be disappointed!
John E. Matty, Springfield, VA.