IMDb RATING
6.2/10
3.8K
YOUR RATING
His ship seized by the Chinese Communists, American Merchant Captain Tom Wilder languishes in prison but Chinese villagers help him escape to sail them to Hong-Kong.His ship seized by the Chinese Communists, American Merchant Captain Tom Wilder languishes in prison but Chinese villagers help him escape to sail them to Hong-Kong.His ship seized by the Chinese Communists, American Merchant Captain Tom Wilder languishes in prison but Chinese villagers help him escape to sail them to Hong-Kong.
- Awards
- 1 win total
Berry Kroeger
- Old Feng
- (as Berry Kroger)
George Chan
- Mr. Sing
- (uncredited)
Spencer Chan
- Villager
- (uncredited)
Danny Chang
- Child Who Salutes Captain
- (uncredited)
W.T. Chang
- Mr. Han
- (uncredited)
David Chow
- Boat Man
- (uncredited)
Chester Gan
- Ferry Boat Captain
- (uncredited)
Lowell Gilmore
- British Officer
- (uncredited)
James Hong
- Communist Soldier
- (uncredited)
Esther Ying Lee
- Villager
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
I love this old movie and not because I'm a dyed in the wool John Wayne fan, because I'm not! There's a couple of other Wayne movies I like but not a lot! The Rooster Coburn ones are a couple! I don't watch a movie for the technical mistakes or say who was miscast! If I really like one it becomes a "favourite" and may be brought out fairly often! This is one of my very "favourites"! I can't really tell you why, maybe it's the idea of a whole village escaping from Red China, plausible or not! I love happy endings!! Maybe it's because I'm an old fart of 80! Don't give me violence or a lot of bed hopping that's not for me or 4 letter words either! I didn't hear a single one! I would like to point out that Amoy is on the coast of China.
"i think they just want to evilize the Chinese communist government (they may be or not be, now their people are manufacturing for the world)"
This, posted above, reflects the attitude of several commenters whose left-wing sphincters reflexively contracted the second they read the name "John Wayne".
"Blood Alley" isn't great, and it isn't one of Wayne's best movies, but it's well-made and entertaining enough to be worthy of at least one viewing.
As for "evilizing" the Chinese government, Mao Zedong and his regime did a fine job of doing that themselves when their actions resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of their own people, not to mention brutal imprisonment of non-criminals, slavery, stupid agricultural policies that resulted in mass starvation, etc., etc. It's no wonder the people in the film's village wanted to escape. But damn John Wayne and his conservative cronies for making it the background of an escapist adventure movie. Because after all, the death and oppression of countless innocent people that is the legacy of the communists in China is okay, because "now their people are manufacturing for the world", and who is the Duke to say otherwise?
This, posted above, reflects the attitude of several commenters whose left-wing sphincters reflexively contracted the second they read the name "John Wayne".
"Blood Alley" isn't great, and it isn't one of Wayne's best movies, but it's well-made and entertaining enough to be worthy of at least one viewing.
As for "evilizing" the Chinese government, Mao Zedong and his regime did a fine job of doing that themselves when their actions resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of their own people, not to mention brutal imprisonment of non-criminals, slavery, stupid agricultural policies that resulted in mass starvation, etc., etc. It's no wonder the people in the film's village wanted to escape. But damn John Wayne and his conservative cronies for making it the background of an escapist adventure movie. Because after all, the death and oppression of countless innocent people that is the legacy of the communists in China is okay, because "now their people are manufacturing for the world", and who is the Duke to say otherwise?
John Wayne has to transport Lauren Bacall and a lot of Chinese villagers down river to Hong Kong with the Commies in 'red' hot pursuit. OK but not one of Duke's best. The biggest problem is that Duke plays a quirky sort of character who talks to an imaginary friend called Baby. It's a rather annoying expository device. Maybe a different actor could have made it work but Duke just doesn't fit the kind of guy who talks to himself. Anyway, it's still an enjoyable movie. Bacall is pretty and fine in her role, though the part isn't the greatest. Paul Fix is good although his playing a Chinese character is sure to cause easily offended types to blow steam out of their ears. So if you're one of those, you might want to skip this one for the sake of your blood pressure. John Wayne fans will like it most, even if it's not one of his stronger roles.
William Wellman solidly directed and William Clothier beautifully photographed this preposterous Cold War saga of Chinese villagers that steal an old stern-wheeler ferry to escape from Red China. The entire village uproots and sails the ancient dilapidated vessel through the treacherous Formosa Straits, which are known as Blood Alley, towards Hong Kong and freedom. Of course, with a stalwart John Wayne at the helm, the boat is in good hands, at least when the Duke is not distracted by Lauren Bacall. Bacall, who seems to have wandered in from another film, has confused living in a small Chinese fishing village with taking a suite at the Hong Kong Hilton. Her stylish clothes are always immaculate and fresh; her make-up is perfectly applied; and her coiffures must have taken hours to complete. The brass bed in her room always has clean, pressed sheets, and an invisible army of elves evidently sweeps and dusts her home every night.
But, aside from the incongruities and the racial stereotyping that was rampant when the film was produced, "Blood Alley" is an incredibly entertaining film that holds up to repeated viewings. Once the action leaves land, the escape at sea is exciting and often tense. Gunboats, storms, and treachery abound, although the Duke never loses his good-natured cool. Neither does Bacall, who remains confused about her surroundings and is dressed and manicured for a cruise aboard the Queen Mary. However, the film is great fun, if not as campy as it could have been. Mike Mazurki lends good support as a loyal Chinese villager, although he looks less Asian than John Wayne did in "The Conqueror."
The stunningly composed landscapes that are bathed in ravishing colors and splashed across the Cinemascope screen are worth a viewing in themselves. The beauty of the countryside should have kept Wayne's attention focused, because Bacall is too cold and hard as a love interest, even for a man who ostensibly spent years in a Chinese prison. Maureen O'Hara always played well with Wayne, and perhaps she would have injected some blood and life into the role. Nevertheless, "Blood Alley" remains a guilty pleasure and loads of fun for those who love watching John Wayne play John Wayne and do not demand an entirely credible storyline.
But, aside from the incongruities and the racial stereotyping that was rampant when the film was produced, "Blood Alley" is an incredibly entertaining film that holds up to repeated viewings. Once the action leaves land, the escape at sea is exciting and often tense. Gunboats, storms, and treachery abound, although the Duke never loses his good-natured cool. Neither does Bacall, who remains confused about her surroundings and is dressed and manicured for a cruise aboard the Queen Mary. However, the film is great fun, if not as campy as it could have been. Mike Mazurki lends good support as a loyal Chinese villager, although he looks less Asian than John Wayne did in "The Conqueror."
The stunningly composed landscapes that are bathed in ravishing colors and splashed across the Cinemascope screen are worth a viewing in themselves. The beauty of the countryside should have kept Wayne's attention focused, because Bacall is too cold and hard as a love interest, even for a man who ostensibly spent years in a Chinese prison. Maureen O'Hara always played well with Wayne, and perhaps she would have injected some blood and life into the role. Nevertheless, "Blood Alley" remains a guilty pleasure and loads of fun for those who love watching John Wayne play John Wayne and do not demand an entirely credible storyline.
I've seen nearly all of John Wayne's A list films, but never caught "Blood Alley" til a recent showing on TCM. Looking at the credits I was pleasantly surprised that this 1955 offering was filmed in color, Panavision and directed by the great Wild Bill Wellman. It is gorgeously filmed and the action scenes are plenty and well done, as The Duke is a South Seas Captain sprung from a Communist Chinese prison to pilot a paddleboat that will take oppressed villagers from mainland China to freedom in Hong Kong. BTW, Wayne looked remarkably fit and healthy after 2 years in solitary confinement. He also acquired, to keep his sanity, a habit of talking to an imaginary character he calls "Baby." This may have been a good device in author Albert Fleischmann's novel, but in a movie script it's annoying. Lauren Bacall is the daughter of a missionary and even in the hot and stultifying humidity her hair, makeup, and clothing always look perfect. Naturally her and The Duke fall in love, but there is no chemistry. As mentioned, some great action scenes as storms, treason, and the Red Chinese Navy tries to stop them.
Did you know
- TriviaHumphrey Bogart visited the set as he began to film The Left Hand of God (1955). Lauren Bacall later recalled that John Wayne was the first to send flowers after Bogart became ill with cancer in 1956, even though he hardly knew Bogart.
- GoofsWhen Captain Wilder leans against the window, the wall moves.
- Quotes
Capt. Tom Wilder: [spoken through voice tube to engine room] If you want a last look at home, you'd better take it now.
Tack: [heavy with sorrow] I looked.
- Crazy creditsThe title is shown in Chinese characters, which dissolve into English.
- ConnectionsEdited into Hellcats of the Navy (1957)
- How long is Blood Alley?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- William A. Wellman's Blood Alley
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $2,871
- Runtime
- 1h 50m(110 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.55 : 1
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