A great film that proves a major triumph for the John Ford/John Wayne partnership, then in its early days. In its story of seamen longing for a return home while going through hell and high water on the way, there are memorable performances from Thomas Mitchell and Ian Hunter, and the greasy, sweaty, smoky atmosphere of the tramp steamer in which the men live and toil is finely done. The story has a typical Eugene O'Neill air of futility about it (it's adapted from three of his one-act plays), but the tragedy-tinged ending, strongly reminiscent of a sequence in Cavalcade, only adds to the film's overall impact. There's great supporting acting from Ward Bond, Mildred Natwick and Arthur Shields, but all the cast sink themselves into the characters they play. A long, winding film, sometimes exciting, often touching, with some strongly descriptive black-and-white photography by Gregg Toland. Oscar-nominated for best picture, it lost to Hitchcock's Rebecca.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes