Wake of the Red Witch (1948)
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57% of users liked it
(2,171 ratings)
This unusual, dreamlike John Wayne vehicle is set in the East Indies. The focus of the film is the deadly rivalry between two men of the sea. Ship's captain Rails (John Wayne) nurses a long-standing grudge against shipping magnate Van Schreeven (Luther Adler). The reason for the animosity: Van… More This unusual, dreamlike John Wayne vehicle is set in the East Indies. The focus of the film is the deadly rivalry between two men of the sea. Ship's captain Rails (John Wayne) nurses a long-standing grudge against shipping magnate Van Schreeven (Luther Adler). The reason for the animosity: Van Schreeven stole away Rails' love, Angelique (Gail Russell). Revenge has warped Rails to point that sometimes he seems to be the heavy of the picture. Complications involving valuable pearls ensue before the offbeat climax, which finds Rails scuttling his own vessel, the Red Witch, as means of getting even. The film's resolution is one of the strangest ever concocted for a Wayne picture. Wake of the Red Witch represented the second screen teaming of John Wayne and Gail Russell; the film must also have held some special significance for Wayne, since he named his own production company, Batjac, after the shipping firm depicted in the picture. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Edward Ludwig
- Written By
- Harry Brown, Kenneth Gamet
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Mar 1, 1949 Wide
- Studio
- Republic Pictures Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Who said Wayne couldn't act?
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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John Wayne
as Capt. Ralls
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Gail Russell
as Angelique Desaix
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Gig Young
as Sam Rosen
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Luther Adler
as Mayrant Ruysdaal Sidneye
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Adele Mara
as Teleia Van Schreeven
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Eduard Franz
as Harmenszoon Van Schreeven
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Grant Withers
as Capt. Wilde Younger
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Henry Daniell
as Jacques Desaix
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Paul Fix
as Antonio "Ripper" Arrezo
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Dennis Hoey
as Capt. Munsey
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Jeff Corey
as Mr. Loring
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Erskine Sanford
as Doktor Van Arken
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Duke Kahanamoku
as Va Nuke
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Fernando Alvarado
as Maru
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Henry Brandon
as Kurinua
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David Clarke
as Mullins
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Fred Graham
as Sailor
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Myron Healey
as Seaman on Red Witch
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Al Kikume
as Native servant
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Fred Libby
as Sailor
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Rory Mallinson
as Officer
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Jim Nolan
as 1st diver
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John M. Pickard
as 2nd diver
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Norman Rainey
as Lawyer
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Chuck Roberson
as Stunts
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Scott Wallace
as Sailor
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Mickey Simpson
as 2nd officer
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Carlos Thompson
as Hekkim
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Harry J. Vejar
as Jarma
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Harlan Warde
as Seaman handling diving line
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John Wengraf
as Prosecutor
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Robert Wood
as Young sailor
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Jose Alvarado
as Taluna
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Fred Fox
as Ship's Surgeon
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Grant Means
as Dirk
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Leo C. Richmond
as Native Priest
- Kuka Tuitama
