Reap the Wild Wind [Blu-ray]

Universal Home Entertainment has given us another classic from Paramount Studios. The original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 has been slightly trimmed to 1.33:1 ("formatted to fit this screen" --- ironic phrase to see on a widescreen HDTV). I'm not sure why Universal couldn't go back to the original negative and aspect ratio to make the DVD version.The film is unrestored, as one can quickly tell by all of the white specks, twinkling like stars on the screen. The Technicolor, on the other hand, less than a decade beyond "Becky Sharp," is brilliant, the palette of colors astounding. Natalie Kalmus must have busted her buttons with pride. This film will look absolutely amazing in Blu-ray.It's no wonder this film won the Academy Award for Best Special Effects, and the realism can hold its own three-quarters of a century later. The rescue near the beginning is thrilling.All in all, it's a great and action-packed DeMille adventure wrapped in rainbows of color.There are still a great many Paramount films to be released on DVD. Keep 'em comin', Universal!

Paulette Goddard, early 19th century Key West AND a giant octopus? What else do I need? Somehow, this film had eluded me all these years, although I am one of the all-time John Wayne fans. It is really a great film, actually several films--nautical adventure, mystery, courtroom drama, deep sea divers versus squid. It has everything.

This is a stunningly beautiful B-D release of the DeMille classic. It was always one of my favorite films.

I love DeMille films! He is a distant cousin of mine both sharing ancestry from North Carolina. "Reap The Wild Wind" is an amazing adventure set in the deep south and the storyline is tightly woven. It looks amazing on Blu-ray. I hope that more of his films will be released on Blu-ray like "The Greatest Show On Earth" and "Unconquered".

I don't know of any other Wayne film before the forgettable '47 "Tycoon" that was filmed in color. All those classic '40s Republic westerns and war movies were filmed in B&W. After his epic B&W '39 western: "Union Pacific", De Mille had the clout to insist that all his future films be shot in Technicolor, a rare luxury treatment in the '40s. In contrast to most other reviewers, this film is perhaps my favorite Wayne film(if we can consider it a Wayne film, since he was not originally given top billing). The Technicolor treatment is certainly one factor, but I guess I'm just hooked on DeMille's better films(In spite of several other fine '39 westerns, "Union Pacific" is my clear favorite for that year). The general style of the present film often apes that of "Gone with the Wind", to which it has often been disparagingly compared. I've never been a big fan of the latter film. If given a choice,I would see DeMille's film again. It is also commonly compared with Wayne's later film "The Wake of the Red Witch", which I haven't seen, but is said to be largely a reworked version of the present film. Considering the age of this film, I thought the DVD transfer quality was excellent, with vivid colors. I also enjoyed some of the extras. For example, we learn that much of the shooting was done on location in Charleston and around Key West, although the underwater action was done in a huge tank. Both Paulette Goddard and Susan Hayward had tried out for the role of Scarlett in "Gone with the Wind". It is speculated that Paulette lost the role because of her uncertain official relationship with her recent lover, Charlie Chaplin. By the time the present film was begun, that relationship had ended. There are so many complexities to this film and so many interesting, if sometimes stock, characters. I thought all of the main characters and most of the supporting characters were well cast. Captain Jack and Steve Tolliver seem destined to be at each other's throat throughout the story. Yet, occasionally, they fight together against a common enemy or help the other in a desperate situation. Captain Jack is a tragic figure, sometimes in hot water through no fault of his own, yet performing a dastardly deed to help win his love that precipitates the demise of many of the main characters. Raymond Massey sheds his Lincoln and John Brown images to become an engaging masterful villain. In one of the many convoluted relationships, Susan Hayward's character falls for Massey's handsome younger brother, who lives in his brother's shadow as a marginal villain. This romance, on the sneak, will become central to the tragic and redemptive events near the end of the story. In contrast to some viewers, I thought the talking dog and mischievous pet capuchin helped provide a bit of comic relief. I also enjoyed Lynne Overman's portrayal of Captain Phil, a classic old salt and grandfatherly figure.

This DVD transfer is very good to excellent. All the technicolor splendor is preserved for us.This is a major effort from Paramount and Cecile B. DeMille and it shows. Not only do we get a tremendous cast: John Wayne, Ray Milland, Paulette Goddard, Raymond Massey, Susan Hayward, Robert Preston, Charles Bickford and Louise Beavers, the sets and locations are first rate as well. DeMille gives us a real feel for the period with location shoots in antebellum Charleston and beautiful costuming fitting the period (1840's). The giant squid monster (shot completely underwater with the actors AND the dierecor, DeMille!) is real enough to give even modern audiences a shiver.The plot is simple. Two men (Wayne as a sea captain and Milland as a lawyer) fight pirate salvagers who have been sinking ships and claiming the cargoes. Both fall in love with the beautiful Loxi (Paulette Goddard) which creates tension between our two heroes. They work in opposition for the same goal.This is a great film for the whole family although I'm inclined to put a PG rating on the film for the sea monster attack on our protagonists. It's not too bad though.Recommended for: All adventure fans, family viewers, John Wayne fans, Cecile B. DeMille fans. This is a top quality offering and one you'll watch more than once.

although he young in this, you can see already what a great star he would become.

Purchased this for my elderly mother, she has watched it several times already

Smashing adventure film.

Great film.

Another classic Hollywood production for home collection!Thank you seller.