Wake of the Red Witch
Wake of the Red Witch
During the 1860s in the South Pacific, Capt. Ralls, skipper of the Red Witch, has a series of adventures involving sunken gold bullion, pearls, natives, an unscrupulous ship owner and a giant octopus.
Mister Arn reviewedJuly 4, 2025
“Wake of the Red Witch” casts John Wayne as a brooding, haunted sea captain driven by loss and revenge. Told mainly in flashback, the narrative can feel disjointed, but its emotional undercurrents run deep. Rather than offering high-seas adventure, the film leans into a slower, more reflective tone. Love, betrayal, and vengeance ebb and flow throughout, a melodrama that favors stormy emotions over swashbuckling action.