The Sea Chase_
"JOHN WAYNE - a skipper sworn never to be taken! LANA TURNER - the fuse of his floating time-bomb!"
As the Second World War breaks out, German freighter captain Karl Ehrlich is about to leave Sydney, Australia with his vessel, the Ergenstrasse. Ehrlich, an anti-Nazi but proud German, hopes to outrun or out-maneuver the British warship pursuing him. Aboard his vessel is Elsa Keller, a woman Ehrlich has been ordered to return to Germany safely along with whatever secrets she carries. When Ehrlich's fiercely Nazi chief officer Kirchner commits an atrocity, the British pursuit becomes deadly.
Starring
John Wayne, Lana Turner, David Farrar
Box Office
$6.0M
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
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Year context
The Sea Chase was released 71 years ago in 1955.
Overview
As the Second World War breaks out, German freighter captain Karl Ehrlich is about to leave Sydney, Australia with his vessel, the Ergenstrasse. Ehrlich, an ...
The Sea Chase is a War, Action, Drama film with a runtime of 1h 57m.
CAST (18)
John Wayne
Captain Karl Ehrlich
Lana Turner
Elsa Keller
David Farrar
Commander Jeff Napier
James Arness
Schlieter
Tab Hunter
Cadet Wesser
Lyle Bettger
Chief Officer Kirchner
Paul Fix
Max Heinz
Claude Akins
Winkler
John Qualen
Chief Engineer Schmitt
Alan Hale Jr.
Wentz
Richard Davalos
Cadet Walter Stemme (as Dick Davalos)
Lowell Gilmore
Capt. Evans
Luis van Rooten
Matz
Wilton Graff
Consul General Hepke
Peter Whitney
Bachman
John Doucette
Bos'n
AL
Alan Lee
Brounck
Richard Lupino
British Officer of the Watch
BOX OFFICE
$6.0M
Revenue
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
117 min (1h 57m)
Country
Rating
6.1/10 (48 votes)
Box Office
$6,000,000
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is The Sea Chase about?
As the Second World War breaks out, German freighter captain Karl Ehrlich is about to leave Sydney, Australia with his vessel, the Ergenstrasse. Ehrlich, an anti-Nazi but proud German, hopes to outrun or out-maneuver the British warship pursuing him. Aboard his vessel is Elsa Keller, a woman Ehrlich has been ordered to return to Germany safely along with whatever secrets she carries. When Ehrlich's fiercely Nazi chief officer Kirchner commits an atrocity, the British pursuit becomes deadly.
How long is The Sea Chase?
The Sea Chase has a runtime of 117 minutes (1h 57m).
Who stars in The Sea Chase?
The cast of The Sea Chase includes John Wayne, Lana Turner, David Farrar, James Arness, Tab Hunter.
How much did The Sea Chase make at the box office?
The Sea Chase earned $6,000,000 worldwide at the box office.
What is the rating of The Sea Chase?
The Sea Chase has a rating of 6.1 out of 10 based on 48 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (3)
War
Action
Drama