El demonio del mar

This film reminds me of another great Lionel Barrymore classic, "Captains Courageous-" another "boy comes of age on the sea" film. If you enjoyed this one, you'll like that one, too. Leonard Maltin gives this film three stars and "Captains" four, but I prefer this one, probably because I had a hard time getting past Spencer Tracy's laughable attempt at a Portuguese accent in "Captains."

Although I'm not a sailor, this film seems pretty authentic, as though they paid attention to their technical adviser. Less Hollywood than you might expect from a 1949 film.

A previous reviewer described the ships in this film as Bluenose Schooners; actually, all the vessels in "Down to the Sea" are square-rigged whaling ships In my opinion, few things made by Man are as magnificent as a square-rigger under full sail.

Down to the Sea in Ships is a grand sea adventure in the tradition of Captains Courageous, Moby Dick, and Treasure Island, full of great actors playing interesting characters, with decent special effects for it's time, and an intelligent, sometimes profound, script. Lionel Barrymore plays Captain Joy, the Master of a whaling ship about to be retired. He wants his young grandson (Dean Stockwell) to carry on the family tradition and eventually become master of the ship. But the boy lacks the appropriate education and seems unable to learn. On his last voyage, Joy appoints the new first mate, Lunceford (Richard Widmark) - also his tentative replacement - to the job of educating his grandson. It takes Lunceford a while to win the boy's confidence, and when he finally does, the old Captain seems to become jealous. Then when a boat is lost in the fog with the boy aboard, Lunceford launches a second rescue boat against regulations, and the Captain must discipline him. This dilemma between duty and personal devotion develops a tense situation between the three of them, with dramatic impact that makes Down to the Sea In Ships one of the most poignant films of it's kind, fully in league with those mentioned above. I don't want to giving away any more of the plot, but rest assured that the tension carries through suspense-fully to a perilous climax. The great supporting cast includes Gene Lockhart, Cecil Kelloway, Harry Morgan, Harry Davenport, and Jay C. Flippen.

A sentimental tale about an elderly captain who wants to bring his grandson to sea with him, but refuses to compromise his duty to his ship and crew even though it costs him everything he loves. Lionel Barrymore plays Captain Bering Joy as a sometimes-foolish old man vying for his grandson's affection with his first mate. Dean Stockwell plays the grandson who loves the sea and his grandfather, but is failing academically. Richard Widmark plays the young first mate who has been assigned the onerous task of teaching the boy his schoolwork. The beauty of this film for me is the way it celebrates wisdom, courage, fairness, and honesty in life. In the end, it is the log of a person's life and actions that matter more than their ability to fit any prevailing standard of knowledge or trendiness. Barrymore's character is old, ignorant, autocratic, and uncompromising, but he is also an example worthy of respect that the grandson can value for the rest of his life if he is wise enough to do so.

This film, not Captains Courageous, is the best boy becomes a young man film ever made. Tracy was great, in the latter, but Dean Stockwell blows away Freddy Bartholomew in the former. Barrymore is also better in this film. Although I thoroughly enjoyed Captains, this film is a full level above it. It is more authentic, and the scenes pursuing the whale are electric. I learned about whaling from Melville in his classic Moby Dick, but seeing the process makes it all the more impressive, despite its barbaric and politically incorrect status today. Let's not condemn a film because it is not PC today, otherwise we would lose a good one third of all films ever made before the enlightened 21st century. A must see for all young boys.

It's unusual to see a film with as impressive a cast of supporting actors. Helping Richard Widmark and Dean Stockwell tell this story are the likes of Lionel Barrymore, Cecil Kellaway, Gene Lockhart, Harry Davenport, Jay C. Flippen and other fine supporting actors. Now this was NOT an easy task, as some of the folks were on loan from MGM--and it's obvious that Twentieth Century-Fox put a lot of care and effort into making this seafaring film. Also, be aware that despite the same titles, this 1949 film has no relation to the 1922 Mary Pickford movie.

"Down to the Sea in Ships" is a story about an aging grandfather (Barrymore) and his young grandson (Stockwell). The old man raised the boy at sea, as he's a whaling sea captain in the 19th century. He is conflicted--part of him wants to put the boy ashore to get an education and part of his looks down on formalized learning, as he never went to school and is a master sailor. Eventually, to solve the problem, he takes on a First Mate who is highly educated (Richard Widmark)--with his plan being that the Mate teach the boy on his off hours. However, there is a problem--the Captain and Mate are BOTH very strong-willed men who think they are right--or at least they won't allow themselves to admit that they are not right. The Captain behaves as if education is of limited value--though WHY did he arrange for this tutor? And, the Mate is convinced that the Captain is an idiot! Not surprisingly, both change their opinions as this sweeping saga progresses.

Most of the film was shot in a sound stage. Yet, surprisingly, the footage is usually excellent and is integrated very well with actual footage. It makes for a very impressive looking film and director Henry Hathaway did an admirable job. Also admirable is the acting and script. Together, they make for a terrific film with lots of great messages about life, maturity and what it is to be a man. Quite impressive and enjoyable.

By the way, there are two things I'd like to point out. Despite what they said in the film, the Mississippi River is NOT the longest river in the world (just the US). Also, watch Harry Morgan--he forever seems to be getting squished in the movie! Poor Harry!