John Wayne Collection, Vol. 1 (The Quiet Man / The Sands of Iwo Jima / Flying Tigers / The Wake of the Red Witch)

Customer Reviews:

John Wayne Republic Collection.......2007-07-18

This selection includes The Wake of the Red Witch & The Quiet Man. Originally available as standalone releases, this package is huge value for money based on the original price per title of US$20.00 according to the TV spots included. Some titles have good extras. I have always wanted to get The Quiet Man and the color could be called interesting.

A little balance.......2007-07-01

This review is in response to the other review because I can't stand to have a John Wayne collection with some of his best movies with a three star rating from a guy who doesn't own the thing yet but is upset because his "Alf" collection didn't quite work out. First of all any review of John Wayne that also happens to mention Alf in the same review deserves negative votes, and should be pulled by Amazon. This is the only time I have ever reviewed a product I don't own (though I do own all the movies in their individual forms and the transfer is great, the only beef I've had is the lack of subtitles) and I realize in that sense I'm no better that the other guy, but giving John Wayne three stars is just outrageous.

I have my reservations.......2007-03-11

First off, this collection costs a little more than half of what these individual movies do on DVD. That alone makes me suspicious. Next, the description of these movies on this page says that they are in Black and White. The Quiet Man is in color. In fact, I would feel completely taken if I received a copy of The Quiet Man in Black and White. How can you possibly convey the charm of the Irish countryside as John Ford filmed it in anything but living color? Finally, there is the distributor, Lion's Gate. Back in 2004 this same company was responsible for distributing Alf. As has happened in other scenarios with other distributors of sitcoms, we consumers wound up with the syndicated versions of this great unique comedy. However, Lion's Gate completely ignored the fans' complaints and continued releasing syndicated versions of subsequent seasons. All of this taken together makes me very wary. However, if these are indeed quality transfers of these films, then this is the deal of the century. The Quiet Man is just about the best film ever made, The Sands of Iwo Jima starred John Wayne in just about the best role he ever had, and The Flying Tigers is a great war movie, even if it is a fictional account of the actual American Volunteer Group of pilots that flew dangerous missions in World War II. The Wake of the Red Witch is the only entry of the four that is somewhat weak, and it's not that bad.

Average customer rating:

One of the best John Wayne films
Wake of the Red Witch
Duke 1, Squid 0
Worth Viewing but Not Remembering
Garland Roark's Novel Brought to the Screen

Wake of the Red Witch
Starring: John Wayne , Gail Russell , Gig Young , Adele Mara , and Luther Adler
Director: Edward Ludwig
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005B205
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Amazon.com

John Wayne stars as a 19th-century sea captain out for revenge against a wealthy shipping magnate in this interesting and unlikely 1948 offering from Republic Pictures. Wayne plays the wronged Captain Ralls with a convincing bitterness that foreshadows his later work in the John Ford classic The Searchers, and his grim portrayal of Ralls hits a high point when Ralls purposely wrecks his enemy's prize treasure ship. The painfully beautiful Gail Russell costarred with Wayne only the year before in The Angel and the Badman and delivers a memorable performance as the tragic Angelique. Gig Young also stands out as a crewman who eventually learns the truth about Ralls. Wake of the Red Witch shares similarities in both character and climax to an earlier Wayne picture, C.B. DeMille's Reap the Wild Wind, but this film has a more direct approach in exploring the complex motivations of its characters. --Mark Savary

Customer Reviews:

One of the best John Wayne films.......2007-02-25

I first saw this movie in a theater in the early 1950's [movies stayed on the circuit for years then - big cities, first runs, small towns, then part of double features, etc.]. I was under 10 and it was an amazing movie then. I have seen it many times since and I like it even better now. Sure, the special effects now seem clumsy and dated. But the story is a good one and the battle of wills between Wayne's character and Luther Adler's character is still one of the better done of this type plot device. Wayne was consistently underestimated for years by his peers and critics but the public knew better. Yes, among the hundreds of movies he's in, a good percentage of them are B specials. But, starting with Angel and the Badman [w/ the same lovely Gail Russell as in "Wake..."], he didn't have to bow to anyone. "Wake..." is one of his best along with [imho]: The Cowboys, The Shootist, The Quiet Man, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and maybe True Grit. Even the more venerated and more decorated actors of Wayne's era made clunk movies. And, not all the blame could be cast at the writers/directors... I'll be adding a DVD version of "Wake.." to my Wayne collection. It's a good one! {I'll enjoy watching this one with my grandson in a couple of years.}

Wake of the Red Witch.......2006-11-03

A very interesting and exciting sea picture that involves intrigue, danger, adventure, and romance. What more do you want? In addition to all of the previously mentioned offerings you have a sea monster, ie; a giant squid which is only one of many obstacles that John Wayne has to battle to retrieve valubles located in a sunken freighter.

This John Wayne film is different and unusual in that John Wayne is not the all encompassing heroe that he usually portrays in films. He starts out as a somewhat greedy, deceptive person out to get what he feels he deserves from a former employer and rival, but in the end he finds redemption from his love interest, the very beautiful, Gail Russell, who starred with Wayne in "The Angel and the Badman", another fine Wayne western. Also, in the film is Gig Young, a great, "in my opinion", underrated actor who does a fine job as the character with redeaming qualities, and a friend of John Wayne in the film.

They don't make'm like this anymore! I'm sure you'll enjoy this film, pure adventure, and a film you don't have to analyze, just enjoy!

I recommend purchasing this film. You won't be disappointed!

John E. Matty, Springfield, VA.

Duke 1, Squid 0 .......2005-06-16

WAKE OF THE RED WITCH has it all: An island full of half-naked Polynesian islanders, carved stone heads that stand twenty-feet high, a scuttled schooner laden with gold, the pearl god Tara-Tatu, breathless Euro chicks steaming it up beneath the vines and palm fronds on the RKO backlot, a succession of improbable flashbacks and John Wayne going mano-a-mano with a giant squid.
This movie is a high seas, wooden-ships-and-iron-men costumer that spends most of its time tracking the tempest tossed romance `tween the Duke and Gail Russell, and the bitter rivalry between Wayne and the skullduggerous Luther Adler.
WAKE OF THE RED WITCH is decently unmemorable in all respects, non-essential viewing for even the hardiest of John Wayne loyalists. It's filled with useless posturings and is based on a popular forgotten novel of the day. Others may find it riveting, but I spent most of my time trying to figure out how Wayne kept his toupee in place during the underwater scenes.

Worth Viewing but Not Remembering.......2005-04-18

I am a big John Wayne fan. I love watching his movies. I enjoyed this one as well even though it is not a particularly good effort of his. It was entertaining but did not really catch the imagination.

If I remember correctly, this film is a semi-remake of one he did jsut a few years earlier. Compared to that horror, this one is excellent but don't try to compare it to some of his greater works like "The Quiet Man", the cavalry trilogy or even "Donovan's Reef". Those are great and memorable; this one is merely an afternoon's mindless entertainment, soon forgetten in the detail if not the minutiae.

THe story revolves around two men with a feud over a woman. In this case, both men are involved in shipping in the South Pacific in the days of sail. Wayne commits an act of barratry (piracy conducted by a ship's own crew) against the ship of his rival. The rival wants revenge but so does the Duke. In the end, the sea sorts it all out.

Purchase this movie if you are a diehard John Wayne fan who must have all his work. Otherwise, rent it.

Garland Roark's Novel Brought to the Screen.......2005-03-30

This seemingly obscure 1949 movie produced quietly during some of John Wayne's greatest years of stardom is an overlooked excellent and well written drama. The movie ties into the original story and actually opens the original book and begins the narration of Chapter one at the hands of the first mate. The story revolves around scuttling a sailing vessel "The Red Witch" that contained a cargo of five million in Gold Bullion. There is competition between the owners and Captain Ralls (John Wayne) who plays an ambivilant character who sides with whatever group is most advantageous at the time. The story is told from the perspective of the first mate and utilized the "flashback" technique similar to "Casablanca" but spends considerable time filling you in on how the present situation developed. Although this is in glorious B&W, the island scenery and romance of the age of sail work wonders along with casual romances and adventure to make this a great and interesting film to watch.

The Fighting Seabees/Wake of the Red Witch

Average customer rating:

The Fighting Seabees/Wake of the Red Witch
Starring: John Wayne , Gail Russell , Gig Young , Adele Mara , and Luther Adler
Director: Edward Ludwig
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

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All Titles | John Wayne Store | Stores | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000N4SHWG
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Description

THE FIGHTING SEABEES - All-American hero John Wayne takes a crew of construction workers and turns them into one of WWII's toughest fighting forces in this action-packed war classic. After having convinced the Army brass to let his civilians bear arms, Wedge Donovan ( Wayne) whips his new troops into combat shape. But when he leads his unit in an alll-out assult against the Japanese, Donovan is brought up on court-martial charges and must fight for his life on a new battlefield. THE FIGHTING SEABEES offers an entertaining combination of strong supporting performances by Daniel O'Keefe and ravishing, about-to-be-superstar Susan Hayward; brawlinlg, big budget action sequences; and an Oscar-nominated score- all of which led Leonard Maltin to give "3 stars" to this spirited saga turned box office bonanza. WAKE OF THE RED WITCH - John Wayne battles enemies above and below the waves - including a giant killer octopus - in WAKE OF THE RED WITCH. This sprawling epic adventure pits the tough-minded Captain Ralls (John Wayne) against the treacherous Captain Sidneye (Luther Adler) in a bitter rivalry on a South Seas isle. At stake is a fortune in pearls hidden in an underwater cave. At risk is the hand of the beautiful Angelique (Gail Russell), daughter of Desiax, the tyrant ruler of the island who plans to marry her off to Sidneye. In an attempt to rescue Angelique, Ralls must seize the pearls and exchange them for her freedom. The danger continues as fate holds one final test of strength and bravery for the bold Captain and the woman he loves.

Average customer rating:

One of the best John Wayne films
Wake of the Red Witch
Duke 1, Squid 0
Worth Viewing but Not Remembering
Garland Roark's Novel Brought to the Screen

Wake of the Red Witch [Region 2]
Starring: John Wayne , Gail Russell , Gig Young , Adele Mara , and Luther Adler
Director: Edward Ludwig
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

All Titles | John Wayne Store | Stores | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004VY4I

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

One of the best John Wayne films.......2007-02-25

Wake of the Red Witch.......2006-11-03

Duke 1, Squid 0 .......2005-06-16

Worth Viewing but Not Remembering.......2005-04-18

Garland Roark's Novel Brought to the Screen.......2005-03-30

DVD:

DVD

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