Reap the Wild Wind (1942)

6.6Approved123 minDirector: Cecil B. DeMille

1942 adventure color film made in USA

Reap the Wild Wind is a 1942 American adventure film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Ray Milland, John Wayne, and Paulette Goddard, with a supporting cast featuring Raymond Massey, Robert Preston, Lynne Overman, Susan Hayward and Charles Bickford. DeMille's second Technicolor production, the film is based on a serialized story written by Thelma Strabel in 1940 for The Saturday Evening Post. The screenplay was written by Alan Le May (author of the novel The Searchers), Charles Bennett, Jesse Lasky, Jr. and Jeanie MacPherson.

While he based his film on Strabel's story, set in the 1840s along the Florida coast, DeMille took liberties with details such as sibling relationships and subplots, while staying true to the spirit of the story, which centers on the headstrong, independent woman portrayed by Goddard.

Released shortly after the United States' entry into World War II, Reap the Wild Wind was wildly successful at the box office and earned three Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Special Effects.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is Reap the Wild Wind about?
Reap the Wild Wind (1942) — Clipper ships taking the shortest route between the Mississippi and the Atlantic often end up on the shoals of Key West in the 1840s. Salvaging the ships' cargos has become a lucrative business for two companies -- one headed by a feisty young woman. Then she falls in love with t
Is Reap the Wild Wind based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is Reap the Wild Wind scary?
Content rating: Approved. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.