Author: Shieldmaiden

Wake of the Red Witch is a 1948 adventure film, set on the high seas, and the tropical jungles of a Caribbean island. While it’s not a pirate movie, it certainly involves theft and underhanded behaviours. It is an American adventure film that falls into the romantic, adventure and melodrama genres.

Directed by Edward Ludwig, produced by Edmund Grainger and starring John Wayne, Gail Russell, Gig Young, Adele Mara and Luther Adler. 

The movie is about two men carrying out an ongoing rivalry: Mayrant Sidneye, owner of the shipping company Batjak Limited, and Captain Ralls.

The movie opens aboard the Red Witch just before she sinks. It then cuts to a trial of the captain where he escapes a charge of barratry, when Batjak unexpectedly withdraws its complaint. Then we proceed to the Carribean Island, where we are met with a backstory about Ralls and Sidneye falling in love with the same beautiful woman, Angelique with further unexpected elements along the way.

The novel Wake of the Red Witch was written by Garland Roark, a Texan who worked in advertising.The Washington Post called it “a smashing melodrama.” It was published in 1946 and became a bestseller.

The film has numerous similarities to Cecil B. DeMille‘s earlier seagoing spectacular Reap the Wild Wind (1942) apart from the titles (“RWW” and “WRW”) such as both starring John Wayne as a sea captain in two of his few roles as a anti-hero and his similar demise in both films.

Republic Pictures paid $100,000 for the screen rights to the book, reportedly the highest amount that the studio had ever paid. Republic, a Poverty Row studio in its early days, primarily produced low- and medium-budget Westerns and serials. Edmund Grainger was assigned as producer.

The movie is in black and white and is 1hr and 26min long, and would be rated PG. The only spicyness is two or three passionate kisses, and everyone keeps their clothes on. There is little to no bad language.

The movie is available on youtube. Wake Of The Red Witch 1948 John Wayne Full Action Adventure Movie 720p

I would recommend watching this film if you like slower-paced action. It’s also excellent as despite the focus of this film being the rivalry between the two men, and the genre that could be considered a romance, this does not come across sappy or filmed in the bedroom.

So, throw aside the disgrace that is modern cinema and streaming sites and get to watching this good film starring actual experienced actors with proper writing and plot.

Shieldmaiden is the editor of Corncrake magazine, which publishes classic and contemporary short stories in English literature. She is also a writer of fantasy, both in short and long form. In her spare time, she paints landscapes, sews clothing and quilts, and collects vintage-style brass instruments.