The Sea Wolf (1941 film)
| The Sea Wolf | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Michael Curtiz |
| Produced by |
Hal B. Wallis Jack L. Warner Henry Blanke |
| Written by | Jack London (novel) |
| Screenplay by | Robert Rossen |
| Based on | The Sea Wolf |
| Starring |
Edward G. Robinson Ida Lupino John Garfield |
| Music by | Erich Wolfgang Korngold |
| Cinematography | Sol Polito |
| Edited by | George Amy |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
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Release date
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Running time
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90 minutes (Originally released at 100 min.) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,013,217 |
The Sea Wolf is a 1941 American black-and-white film adaptation of Jack London's novel The Sea Wolf with Edward G. Robinson, Ida Lupino, and John Garfield. The film was written by Robert Rossen and directed by Michael Curtiz.
The Sea Wolf has several connections to the city of London, Ontario, aside from the source author's surname. Producer Jack L. Warner and cast member Gene Lockhart were both born in the city and cast member Alexander Knox attended university there. For these reasons, the film's Canadian premiere was held at London's Capitol Theatre.
Refined fiction writer Humphrey van Weyden (Knox) and escaped convict Ruth Webster (Ida Lupino) are passengers on a ship that collides with another vessel and sinks. They are rescued by the Ghost, a seal-hunting ship. At the helm is the brutal Captain Wolf Larsen (Edward G. Robinson), a compassionless individual who delights in dominating and abusing his crew.
Larsen refuses to return to port early and forces van Weyden to work as the new cabin boy, replacing the rebellious George Leach (John Garfield). When Prescott (Gene Lockhart), the drunken ship's doctor, determines that the unconscious Webster needs a transfusion to survive, Larsen "volunteers" Leach, even though there is no way to test if his blood is compatible. Fortunately, it is, and she recovers. As time goes by, she comes to depend on Leach for protection and, despite himself, Leach falls in love with her.
Most of the film is centered on Larsen’s peculiar character. He is very well read, yet cannot see anything useful in his education. When Prescott complains about the way he is treated, Larsen orders the crew to respect his dignity, only to conclude by kicking the man down some stairs for his and the crew's amusement. Prescott climbs the mast and reveals that Larsen's own brother, Death Larsen, another sea captain, is hunting him, having vowed to kill him; Prescott then throws himself to his death.
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