This is one of the best high sea adventure films ever made, and the highlight of it is the sailing race between Gregory Peck and Anthony Quinn on two different ships with a bet that the one who wins gets both ships. To this wonderful, resplendent adventure drama is added a beautiful girl, of course, and not just anyone, but Ann Blyth as a dazzling Russian princess. The first half of the film is all in San Francisco in splendid sumptuousness regarding costumes, colours, scenery and rowdy fights, and these rowdy fights keep entertaining you throughout the film - there are always new ones, almost Raoul Walsh's speciality. You could hardly wish for a more thrillingly accomplished adventure film, and although Gregory Peck is considered miscast Anthony Quinn certainly is not - this is his first great part as the overwhelmingly hearty ruffian who shares everything with everyone including his booze with constant and roaring laughs all the way. Raoul Walsh must have enjoyed making this film and Anthony Quinn also, while the ladies are a little bit too fine for it. A great advantage is that the Russians actually speak Russian, and dubbed into Russian this film must be a great treat for Russians. It's all about the American purchase of Alaska in 1867, around which the intrigue is constructed with meticulous care. Gregory Peck is always good, but he was seldom in such a good film as this one.
Review of The World in His Arms
The World in His Arms
(1952)
The mad sailing race from San Francisco to Alaska in 1867
11 October 2021