The Sea Wolf (1941) ****

The Sea Wolf (1941) is an excellent psychological drama with rousing performances from its heavies as well as a strong supporting cast. Edward G. Robinson stars as the cruel captain Wolf Larsen, who shows no mercy to the crew of his ship ("Ghost"), nor the refugees he picks up played by the foxy and feisty Ida Lupino (as an escaped fugitive without much to live for) and Alexander Knox (as a steadfast writer who desperately wants off of the ship). John Garfield plays a crewman who inspires a mutiny and hatches a plan to escape with Lupino's character whom he's fallen for. This oceanic adventure is expertly directed by Michael Curtiz and impeccably shot by Curtiz's frequent cinematographer of the time Sol Polito.

You can find my Michael Curtiz Feature Films Ranked list here.