Le monde lui appartient

In old San Francisco, Marina Selanova (Ann Blyth) - a dark-haired Russian countess on the run from imminent union to the ambitious prince Semyon (Carl Esmond) - implores Captain Jonathan Clark (Gregory Peck) to take her to Alaska after been rejected by his eternal rival Portugee (Anthony Quinn).

Jonathan, an American seal pirate, falls for the diminutive, fresh-faced brunette, while giving her a midnight tour of San Francisco—an impressive similar situation to Peck-Audrey Hepburn in William Wyler's "Roman Holiday."

On the eve of their wedding day, her odious Russian fiancé kidnaps her, and sails for Alaska taking her on his gunboat... He promises to kill her uncle unless she married him as it was originally planned...

The film's highlight is the outstanding windswept race between two boats led by Peck and Quinn from San Francisco harbor to the Fur Seal Islands off the coast of Alaska, with the winner acquiring the other's ship and crew to rescue the lovely heroine...

With her slightly oriental eyes and pleasant lyric soprano voice, Ann Blyth provides feminine decoration for this epic adventure...

Anthony Quinn gives a high-spirited performance as the cunning, sympathetic thief... Quinn is challenged in the film in a 'trial of strength,' an amusing drinking and wrestling bout..

Raoul Walsh's direction is simple, direct and muscular... As a popular entertainer he is confident with a sense of humor... His actions, fury, spirit, skill, ambition and unrestrained dreams remain his forte...

Start with history, add adventure and scenery, toss in a romance, sprinkle it with humor, and top it off with action. That's the recipe for a very entertaining and outstanding movie. It describes "The World in His Arms." Others have discussed the plot of the film, so I'll skip to some of the highlights.

First, it has historical value. Few films have been made about that time and place in history, and it gives a good picture of life and politics in the early years of Alaska settlement. The locale shooting in the Pacific Northwest adds to the authenticity, as well as the spectacular scenery.

Second, the scenery and cinematography are outstanding. Even fewer movies have included Alaska seal hunting, and again the location and scenery are most impressive here. The Americans and others who go in search of seal furs in Alaska are poachers in Russian territory. But, one scene describes how Gregory Peck's ship practices conservation of the seal population, whereas the Russians tend to slaughter whole populations without such regard.

Third, the big cast of top drawer actors is perfect for this film. That includes all of them. I don't agree with a couple reviewers, including one whom I enjoy and watch for often. They think that Gregory Peck was miscast. I can see that if someone has a particular image or demeanor or character about an actor burned into his or her imagination, it may be difficult to appreciate that person in roles that don't seem to conform. But, greater enjoyment of movies is in store for those of us who don't typecast actors. And, when an actor plays a role that is rare or unusual for him, it can be an even bigger treat for the audience. Such is the case with Peck in this film, I think. Instead of Charlton Heston, John Wayne, or Kirk Douglas for this role, I think Peck gives it an air of freshness.

Fourth, the sailing scenes and action are outstanding. Although these aren't the man-o-war type of large ships in this film, they are of the fast schooner type of vessels. The cinematography of the sea race is some of the best filming of sailing that I have seen in movies.

Other aspects of the movie add immensely to its quality and enjoyment -- the romance, the humor, and the action. Production aspects are all first-rate - costumes, script, and directing. "The World in His Arms" is a great addition to any film library.

Most of the cast give top performances. Besides the three leads played by Gregory Peck, Ann Blyth and Anthony Quinn, this film had several well-known supporting actors of the day. John McIntire, Hans Conried, Rhys William, and Sig Ruman are very good in their roles. Only one significant role was lacking -- Carl Esmond seemed wooden as Prince Semyon

While the film takes place in an historical setting, the characters are fictitious. The movie is based on a book by American author Rex Beach, who wrote many novels of adventure, action and drama. "The World in His Arms" of 1946, was one of several books set in Alaska where Beach had spent five years, including a stint at prospecting for gold. Although little read today, some of his books were top sellers in the early 20th century. Beach may be among the most prolific of modern authors to have had movies based on his works - 37 in all.

Of course, the U. S. did purchase Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867, for $7.2 million. While some critics called it "Seward's Foley" (after William Seward, who was then U. S. Secretary of State), most could see the wisdom of the deal. Russians had first arrived in Alaska in 1732, and in 1799 the Russian-American Company was established to hunt for fur - mostly seal skins. But, Russia didn't colonize the territory. Instead, the largest communities sprang up around churches that were built by Russian Orthodox missionaries. The history of Russian America and the U. S. purchase and establishment of Alaska, which became a state in 1959, is quite fascinating. Very few Russians moved there, and shortly after the sale, most - but not all, left and returned to Russia.

There were some 30 Russian Orthodox churches in Alaska in the early 21st century. Most are historic sites and some are still active parishes. All are in the southern part of the state and the Aleutian Islands. While most are in remote areas or small villages, the most accessible and visited churches are in Sitka, Kenai, Kodiak, and Juneau. Those who take an inland passage cruise to Alaska usually stop at Juneau where one can see and visit St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church.

Here are some favorite lines from this film.

Deacon Greathouse, "Woe unto you, Jonathan. Women! The mouths of these women are smoother than oil, but the end is bitter as wormwood."

William Cleggett, "He can't be serious about buying Alaska." Eben Cleggett, "Of course he's serious. The man is fabulous mad. He's impossible. But if he's decided to buy Alaska, he'll buy it."

Portugee, "Very strange people, these Russians. They give you money, they want it back. Between you and me, I think he's a thief."

Capt. Jonathan Clark, "Did you find Joe Sweeney down at the city treasurer's office?" Eustace, Hotel Clerk, "No. Unfortunately, no, sir. Mr. Sweeney's being hanged this evening. They checked his accounts and it seems they discovered a slight case of embezzlement." Capt. Clark, "Oh, it's too bad. He was a great man with the bottle. There are very few of us left."

Sometimes you just want to watch real adventure and romance and escape. TWWIHA is that and more, shot in Technicolor and full of character and characters this is escapist melodrama at its best.

Gregory Peck plays the Boston Man, a sailor and a sealer, who lands in port and finds love unexpectedly with a Russian countess. Set against the politics of the purchase of Alaska the film spends the first hour in port and then follows 20 minutes of the best sailing sequences caught on film: two tall masters sailing fullspeed and captured to great effect on film, with gaff sails, bumkins, and bowsprits furling this is one of my favorite sailing scenes from any film.

All in all, this is a wonderful romantic adventure film and a terrific way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Fascinating movie! I felt pleasure in this story. Though at first I did not want to watch it. I'm the Russian and I believe Hollywood makes fables about Russia as it had turned out with this movie. There were a trite Russian tavern, cossacks, balalaikas, the plaintive Russian songs, the funny Russian aristocracy. There were some Russian names sounding strange for the Americans. The Americans do not know that the Russians have a name and patronymic. The Russian countess is not too bad, even it was possible to keep noble pallor and some aristocratic manners. The countess' servant was speaking in Russian almost without accent. Though the countess' dresses were in a British manner. But above all it was LOVE. And Alaska, sold to the USA, played not such large role. Certainly, it was impossible for the Russian, Orthodox countess got married with the Catholic American in a church. And Marina Selanova and Prince Semyon wanted to get married into strange place that was absolutely not similar to an orthodox temple. But it did not irritate me. It would be better, if this movie was made in Russia. But sometimes I believed this movie was made in Russia. I believe Gregory Peck was the best choice for this role. The American steadfast captain and the Russian charming countess were beautiful couple. With what other American could the Russian countess fall in love? Jonathan Clark looked very well and manly. He was smart, just, thoughtful and slightly imprudent. The final scene was dazzling beautiful and it had no equal even DiCaprio's Titanic. I saw this scene at picture and decided to watch this movie and I did not regret. I'm so sorry it was not released on DVD. But in Russia it is easy to buy VHS. We like it!

History records the Unites States purchase of Alaska on March 30, 1867 . This was the realization of a dream that began many years before , when captain Jonathan Clark anchored his schooner , The Pilgrim of Salem , among a thousand abandoned ships that lay rotting in the harbor of San Francisco , 1850 . There captain Clark (Gregory Peck) romancing women and smuggling pelts from Islas Aleutinas and Alaska , Russia . Along the way he meets and woos a gorgeous Russian countess called Marina (Ann Blyth) in 1850 San Francisco . As it deals with a salty sea captain, a beautiful Russian countess, and the love that would span an ocean . Events separate them, but after a breathtaking sea race to the Pribilof Islands against Portugee (Anthony Quinn) they meet again ; now , both are in risk from the plans of villainous Prince Semyon (Carl Esmond) and General Ivan Vorashilov (Sig Ruman) .

This exciting as well as entertaining tale packs thrills , noisy action , spectacular struggles and lots of gutsy adventure . The flick relies heavily on a prologue in a San Francisco hotel , its results to be overlong and tiring . Brawling , sprawling , almost primitive action, teeming across the screen and being based on Rex Beach novel . Impressive images when the ships sail across thunderous seas and thrilling final when protagonists and enemies square off in a breathtaking climax . Raoul Walsh demonstrates a special talent for making the densest action sequences seem uncomplicated and uncluttered and his characters , like the scenes distinguished , often have an unfettered , raw power . Nice acting by Greagory Peck as roistering sea captain Jonathan Clark, who poaches seal pelts . Sympathetic interpretation from Anthony Quinn as rude as well as illiterate skipper . and a beautiful Anne Blyth as a countess who hides her noble origin , she does an enjoyable acting though didn't have a notorious career . Good secondary cast with familiar hearted features as John McIntire , Andrea King , Hans Conried , Rhys Williams , Brian Forbes and Sig Ruman . Thrilling as well as emotive musical score by the classic composer Frank Skinner . Colorful cinematography by Russell Metty , a nice cameraman expert on superproductions such as Spartacus , Sign of the Pagan , The War Lord , Counterpoint and Omega man . The movie was splendidly photographed on natural outdoors , Islands Aleutianas and Alaska through the courtesy of the United States Department of Interior National Park Service.

The motion picture lavishly produced by Aaron Resemberg was well directed by Raoul Walsh . From his starts in the silent cinema he achieved successful films until the 50s and forward , early 60s , when he was less dominant , but is still stayed lots of lusty adventure , stories of comradeship and friendship , and Raoul makes the most of plentiful action scenes . Walsh was an expert director of all kind genres but with penchant in Western as ¨Colorado territory¨ , ¨They died with their boots on¨, ¨Along the great divide¨, ¨Saskatchewan¨, ¨King and four queens¨ , ¨The sheriff of fractured jaw¨, ¨A distant trumpet¨ ; Adventure as ¨Thief of Bagdad¨, ¨Captain Horatio Hornblower¨, ¨World in his hands¨, ¨Blackbeard the pirate¨ , ¨Sea devils¨ ; Warlike as ¨Objetive Burma¨ , ¨Northern pursuit¨, ¨Marines let's go¨ ; and Noir film as ¨White heat¨, ¨High Sierra¨, ¨They drive by night¨, ¨The roaring twenties¨. Rating : Fairly straightforward movie and above average . This interesting adventure and action film makes it of the finest of Raoul Walsh genre entries.