Good concept, poorly executed.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

with a lot of senses for this word. because, like each love story, the romanticism is the lead ingredient to define it. but the love story represents only a part for its seduction source. the pure adventure, like in the great films from "50 s, the admirable confrontation between Gregory Peck and Anthony Quinn, the Russian in Alaska and the easy portrait of them in the Cold War period, the title and its meaning, the images and dialogues, Gregory Peck and his great job in a role who seems be, at the first sight, so far by him, all are ingredients of a splendid chain of romanticism nuances who impose this film like a great example of splendid cinema.

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!

This is a glossy film in the best sense of the word. Rex Beach's novel has been brought to brilliant and only-occasionally-slick life here by director Raoul Walsh. The film is both lively and humorous, fast-paced and occasionally profound thanks to the screenplay by veterans Borden Chase and Horace McCoy. It is also an adventure, a love story and an historical snapshot of an expansive era that is colorful and different. Much of it takes place in The Pribiloff Islands, homeground to fur seals behind overhunted by Russians. Some part takes place in Seattle, and some in Russian Alaska. The locales provide a field day for cinematographer Russell Mettey, costume designer Bill Thomas, Joan St. Oegger in charge of hair styling and Bud Westmore, the makeup head. Julia Heron's sets are as always stunning. But what saves this magazine-level storyline from being ordinary I claim is the intricacy of its historical plot, and the acting by everyone concerned. Much is done to make Gregory Peck as "The Boston Man" imposing, a name to be admired and important. it is one of Peck's liveliest characterizations, and he more than lives up to his billing. He is aided by Ann Blyth's best-ever performance as the Russian noblewoman pretending to be an ordinary girl, Anthony Quinn as a rival Portuguese skipper, John McIntire, Eugenie Leontovich, Andrea King, Hans Conreid, suave villain Carl Esmond, Rhys Williams, Sig Ruman and Byran Forbes. This would be a great cast in any film; but here the accent is on liberty versus its opposite; there is a nagging sense in the film that the era of expansion may be ending and only those who dream big and honest dreams will be able to reap the benefits of that expansion. The Russians, at least Esmond, have a different idea--brutality, theft and the extermination of all who oppose them. A curious incident in the film has Peck, grieving over his lost girl--Blyth has been coerced into fleeing him to save her father's life by marrying Esmoond--and he turns on the Portugee, Quinn, who is then crowding him at sea, and disables his ship. The incident is telling; he apologizes, plans to make it up to his obnoxious friend; the incident shows that he is not like the Russian badmen he is soon to challenge and overcome. It is the beauty of the love scenes, the adventure-level interesting characters and the splendid glowing feel of the whole film that set it apart. The climactic battle leads to a lovely denouement and ending, as Peck and Blyth sail home together, and the captain at last has "the world in his arms". This is a film that occasionally takes the path of easy humor and swiftness; but it is very well-acted, and very enjoyable as an adventure, for many reasons.

I find myself in agreement with other critics,who feel that Peck was not the best choice for the role of Captain Clark.Swashbuckling with lots of action and derring-do really wasn't his thing.And yet,he does it as well as might have been expected.But rowdy,boisterous heroes will not be what we remember him for.Nonetheless,this is still quite an enjoyable film.There happens to be a mild amount of Cold War propaganda in this movie,if you know what to look for.At one point,Clark tells Marina that the Russian policy,of rapaciously hunting the seal herds in the islands,without thought for preservation of the species continuance,will lead to extermination.And,later on Deacon Greathouse makes the exact same point to William.My research,however,indicates that the Russians were no more greedy or brutal than any other hunters in that period.So,I feel that we're getting a little bit of 1950s anti-Soviet slur in here.It's just a sign of the times.FURTHER NOTE:The Americans sneak into the palace to rescue Marina dressed as Orthodox priests,including veils which disguise the lower parts of their faces.This is a total inaccuracy.I come from an Eastern Orthodox background,and the priests NEVER did this!