Watch The Hurricane

The Hurricane, a pre-World War II drama-adventure film released in 1937, boasts a star-studded cast, including Dorothy Lamour, Jon Hall, and Mary Astor, and was directed by the legendary John Ford. The film emerges from an era of Hollywood's fascination with exotic and far-flung settings, entwining romance, tragedy, and the overwhelming forces of nature into its narrative tapestry.

Set in the South Pacific, on the idyllic but colonial islands under the control of the French, The Hurricane unfolds the life and tribulations of Terangi (Jon Hall), a handsome and skilled native sailor who works on a schooner owned by the French. Terangi exudes a free spirit, blissfully living his days in the tropical paradise and deeply in love with his wife Marama (Dorothy Lamour). Their union is celebrated and supported by the close-knit, tight community on the islands, who share a mutual respect for the environment and the traditional ways of life.

However, the story quickly transcends beyond love and island serenity as it confronts the grim specters of colonialism and authoritarian injustice. Terangi's happy life takes an acute turn when he accidentally kills a man in defense of his own honor. Despite the act being an unmistakable case of self-defense, he faces the strict, unforgiving hands of the island's French-appointed governor, the imperious De Laage (Raymond Massey), who is hell-bent on maintaining order and the rule of law at any cost. Terangi is sentenced to a harsh and disproportionate prison term, setting the stage for a heart-wrenching drama that draws several of the island's residents into the fray.

In the film, viewers will encounter Dr. Kersaint (Thomas Mitchell), a man struggling with his own moral compass and sense of justice as he witnesses the effects of Terangi's imprisonment. Meanwhile, Madame De Laage (Mary Astor), the governor's wife, brings a compassionate and sympathetic perspective to the harsh treatment of Terangi, fueling an internal conflict that ripples through the colonial hierarchy. As advocates both within and outside the island's colonial authority call for clemency, the unyielding governor stands steadfast, a representation of the rigid and often callous forms of governance that characterized many colonial administrations of the time.

As the drama of Terangi's incarceration and the challenges to his release play out, a completely different and yet equally formidable antagonist begins to stir—nature itself. As hinted at in the film's title, a devastating hurricane is brewing, laying the groundwork for a climactic confrontation, not just between man and man, but between humanity and the unstoppable forces of nature. The special effects for the era are groundbreaking; audiences are left in awe as the colossal storm climbs to its furious peak, becoming a character in its own right, and orchestrating a thrilling and visually breathtaking climax. The storm scenes continue to be appreciated for their technical achievement and dramatic impact, as they underscore the film's central themes about the powerlessness of human constructs in the wake of nature’s might.

Dorothy Lamour's performance as Marama is tender and resilient, the emotional anchor of both Terangi's heart and the audience’s investment in their plight. Known for her roles in the “Road to…” series with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, this film demonstrates her dramatic range and ability to captivate. Jon Hall as Terangi is the personification of pride, love, and endurance, depicting a man's dogged determination against both systemic oppression and elemental fury.

Correspondingly, John Ford's direction provides a spectacle of both intimate human moments and expansive scenes of elemental tumult. As a master storyteller known for his work on later classics such as "The Grapes of Wrath" and "The Searchers," Ford's handling of "The Hurricane" combines technical prowess with deep humanism. His film is at once a cautionary tale about human hubris and a demonstration of his directorial expertise. Ford skilfully uses the island's setting—a character in and of itself—to tell a story that is visually lush and emotively potent, ultimately weaving a tale of relentless passion, human frailty, and the untamed power of nature.

At its core, The Hurricane is an intricate tale of love, colonial power, human struggle, and survival amidst a cataclysmic natural disaster that serves as a potent reminder of nature's unpredictability. The movie is both a dramatic exploration of personal and societal conflicts and a showcase for the era's technological advancements in filmmaking. Nearly a century later, the film remains a remarkable achievement, its themes just as compelling, its story as captivating, and its visuals as impressive as they were at the time of its release.

The Hurricane is a 1937 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.