Down to the Sea in Ships

This is one of the all-time greats. Its brilliance is largely due to Lionel Barrymore. Usually seen in supporting roles (he & Frank Morgan being the two greatest character actors of the golden age), he carries this film as star. There are many electrifying scenes, especially his confrontation with Dean Stockwell, a worthy match for the star, not to mention murdering a whale. On shore, the leads sparkle in a high-stakes testing scene. It also documents an industry that is long gone. You can learn a lot about whaling here. (For example, the captain never speaks to the crew once the boat sails; all communication is through the first mate, who can, however, give a crewman permission to approach the captain.)

In this film progress is overtaking the old and outdated: Captain Joy (L. Barrymore) is a stern old man set in his ways and his first mate (R. Widmark) is a modern man with modern ideas. Add to this a catalyst in the form of the Captain's grandson (Dean Stockwell) and tensions mount.

I love most sailing films and this is no exception. Good acting all around. Somewhat of a tearjerker, although that's not bad in this instance. Save the whales advocates may not care for this movie because it shows whales being taken and blubber removed to prepare oil. I wonder where they got the idea for the ship to hit an iceberg?---At least it didn't sink.

This movie may be hard to find in video format, but I've seen it aired a couple of times in the last few years.

I gave this one a 9 of 10 mostly because it was a good story with fine acting. Also the ship scenes were realistic and full of action.

A nice clean movie your whole family will enjoy even if it is in black & white.

Aside from the theme of strong values held on to, the movie also offers rare real-life footage of bluenose schooners sailing the open sea, something none of us will ever see as these ships have all but disappeared (the Canadian government sails a reproduction as part of its sea and seamanship instruction. This alone made the movie worthwhile. Add solid performances by Widmark and Barrymore and the rest of the cast - and the able direction of Hathaway - and you have a very good film.

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!

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.