I've seen almost all of John Wayne's films (aside from a few of his early B-Westerns) and one of the last I still hadn't seen was this film. So naturally, I was excited to finally see this flick--even if the idiots who produced the videotape DID colorized it (yuck)!! Unfortunately, my long wait was not rewarded and instead I saw one of John Wayne's worst films of the 1940s. I think this is due to two main reasons. First, the script is wildly uneven and seems like a patchwork instead of a coherent script. While SOME aspects of it I liked (such as how the reason for Wayne's supposedly cowardly actions are only revealed later in the film--this was a creative way to weave the story), most of it was just a mess and the film was incredibly cheesy. In many ways, it was a lot like a remake of REAP THE WILD WIND--complete with the crappy giant octopus attacking the Duke while he was diving. Second, Wayne's part was also terribly uneven and his character seemed, at times, like a jerk--and once again, a lot like the guy he played in REAP THE WILD WIND. His beating the crap out of people while drunk and his moodiness in the film was a major turn-off. He just wasn't terribly likable. The romance also seemed under-developed and it just wasn't all that compelling. In fact, nothing about this film was all that likable and it is at best a mediocre time-passer. It's a shame as I was prepared to really like it.
By the way, as of 2/07, three reviewers gave this film a 10! Even if I am being overly harsh, I just can't see how this movie merits a 10. Is this to say that this film is as good or better than THE SEARCHERS, IN HARM'S WAY, THE SHOOTIST, STAGECOACH, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE, THE QUIET MAN, FORT APACHE or SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON?!?! In fact, if I tried, I am sure I could think of dozens of Wayne's films that are simply better.
By the way, as of 2/07, three reviewers gave this film a 10! Even if I am being overly harsh, I just can't see how this movie merits a 10. Is this to say that this film is as good or better than THE SEARCHERS, IN HARM'S WAY, THE SHOOTIST, STAGECOACH, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE, THE QUIET MAN, FORT APACHE or SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON?!?! In fact, if I tried, I am sure I could think of dozens of Wayne's films that are simply better.