Wake of the Red Witch

Infobox Film
name = Wake of the Red Witch


image_size =
caption = Theatrical release poster
director = Edward Ludwig
producer = Edmund Grainger
writer = Harry Brown, Kenneth Gamet, Garland Roark
narrator =
starring = John Wayne
Gail Russell
Gig Young
Adele Mara
music = Nathan Scott
cinematography = Reggie Lanning
editing = Richard L. Van Enger
distributor = Republic Pictures
released = December 30, 1948
runtime = 106 min.
country = United States
language = English
budget = US$1,200,343
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0040946

"Wake of the Red Witch" is a 1948 drama film starring John Wayne and Gail Russell, directed by Edward Ludwig. The movie is one of only nine films in which Wayne's character dies.

Plot

Set in the early 1860s, John Wayne stars as a 19th century sea captain out for revenge against a wealthy shipping magnate in this 1948 offering from Republic Pictures. Wayne plays Captain Ralls with a convincing bitterness, and his grim portrayal of Ralls hits a high point when Ralls purposely wrecks his enemy's prize treasure ship. Gail Russell delivers a memorable performance as the tragic Angelique. Gig Young 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, Cecil B. DeMille's "Reap the Wild Wind", but this film has a more direct approach in exploring the complex motivations of its characters.

Cast

*John Wayne as Captain Ralls
*Gail Russell as Angelique Desaix
*Gig Young as Sam Rosen
*Adele Mara as Teleia Van Schreeven
*Luther Adler as Mayrant Ruysdaal Sidneye
*Eduard Franz as Harmenszoon Van Schreeven
*Grant Withers as Captain Wilde Youngeur
*Henry Daniell as Jacques Desaix
*Paul Fix as Antonio "Ripper" Arrezo
*Jeff Corey as Mr. Loring
*Duke Kahanamoku as Ua Nuke