1940·Drama·1h 45m
7.1
★
The crew of the merchant ship Glencairn hope to survive a transatlantic crossing during World War II. Adapted from four Eugene O'Neill one-act plays.
Directed by John Ford
world war ii
combat
machine gun
freighter
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
John Wayne
Ole Olsen
Thomas Mitchell
Driscoll
Ian Hunter
Smitty
Barry Fitzgerald
Cocky
Wilfrid Lawson
Captain
John Qualen
Axel
Mildred Natwick
Freda
Ward Bond
Yank
Arthur Shields
Donkeyman
Joe Sawyer
Davis
Rafaela Ottiano
Bella
Jack Pennick
Johnny
Crew
John Ford
Director
Richard Hageman
Original Music Composer
Gregg Toland
Director of Photography
John Ford
Producer
Eugene O'Neill
Theatre Play
Popular Reviews
18 reviews
Stockton DavisPRO
4.0★ · 02/28/26
Not a good film in my opinion. There never seemed to be centralized plot, if felt very disjointed. John Wayne felt more like a background character than the main character, his character development was bad in my opinion. There were a few good filmography shots and I enjoyed the ship atmosphere. But the plot and character issues really stood out to me.
Not a good film in my opinion. There never seemed to be centralized plot, if felt very disjointed. John Wayne felt more like a background character than the main character, his character development was bad in my opinion. There were a few good filmography shots and I enjoyed the ship atmosphere. But the plot and character issues really stood out to me.
christy
8.0★ · 01/11/26
5 out of 52 for the 2026 Criterion Challenge
Thomas Mitchell is the real main character here. I enjoyed John Wayne's character as well and I found it interesting seeing him in such a different type of role. Overall this is an underrated John Ford film.
Thomas Mitchell is the real main character here. I enjoyed John Wayne's character as well and I found it interesting seeing him in such a different type of role. Overall this is an underrated John Ford film.
5 out of 52 for the 2026 Criterion Challenge
Thomas Mitchell is the real main character here. I enjoyed John Wayne's character as well and I found it interesting seeing him in such a different type of role. Overall this is an underrated John Ford film.
Thomas Mitchell is the real main character here. I enjoyed John Wayne's character as well and I found it interesting seeing him in such a different type of role. Overall this is an underrated John Ford film.
Lucas
7.0★ · 04/17/23
Includes multiple fun characters all acted quite wonderfully by the solid cast. It's fun to see a younger Wayne here not be the complete star of the show. However even though ford has showed he can manage multiple characters this kinda fell apart a few times. Looked good though and who doesn't love a boat
Includes multiple fun characters all acted quite wonderfully by the solid cast. It's fun to see a younger Wayne here not be the complete star of the show. However even though ford has showed he can manage multiple characters this kinda fell apart a few times. Looked good though and who doesn't love a boat
Miller985
6.0★ · 04/02/23
Navy = Sad
Navy = Sad
sam
7.0★ · 05/15/22
an exceptionally beautiful film, and i think a lot smarter than people give it credit for. although maybe a slightly more confused text than something like wagon master, it nonetheless gives the viewer a lot to chew on. here, grace notes and moments of tragedy or grim fatalism are not just counterposed, but often become one in the same, like the whole sequence with wayne trying to catch his boat once the sailors are back on land. a little messy but compelling all the same
an exceptionally beautiful film, and i think a lot smarter than people give it credit for. although maybe a slightly more confused text than something like wagon master, it nonetheless gives the viewer a lot to chew on. here, grace notes and moments of tragedy or grim fatalism are not just counterposed, but often become one in the same, like the whole sequence with wayne trying to catch his boat once the sailors are back on land. a little messy but compelling all the same