The Hurricane (1937) in Color — Starring Jon Hall & Dorothy Lamour

The Hurricane (1937) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the epic South Seas adventure of The Hurricane (1937) in color for just €15.00. Directed by John Ford, this spectacular film features a legendary hurricane sequence that won a Special Achievement Academy Award, starring Jon Hall, Dorothy Lamour, Raymond Massey, Mary Astor, and Thomas Mitchell. Available now as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for instant viewing on any device.

Plot Summary

On the idyllic South Pacific island of Manukura, Terangi (Jon Hall) is the most admired young man in the community — a skilled sailor beloved by his people and devoted to his beautiful wife Marama (Dorothy Lamour). Their paradise is governed by the French colonial administration, whose rigid legal system exists in fundamental tension with the islanders’ way of life.

When Terangi is convicted of striking a white man during a dispute in Tahiti, the French colonial court sentences him to six months in prison. The sentence seems harsh but survivable, until the tyrannical Governor DeLaage (Raymond Massey), a man of inflexible principle who believes the law must be enforced identically regardless of circumstance, extends Terangi’s sentence each time the desperate sailor attempts to escape and return to his wife and the child he has never seen.

Six months becomes one year, then two, then five, then sixteen years. Each escape attempt adds more time, and yet Terangi cannot stop trying — the pull of home, of Marama, of the child growing up without a father, is stronger than any prison wall. His story becomes a legend across the islands, a symbol of both the indomitable human spirit and the cruel absurdity of colonial justice.

DeLaage’s own wife (Mary Astor) and the island’s compassionate physician, Dr. Kersaint (Thomas Mitchell), plead for mercy, but the Governor remains immovable. When Terangi finally makes one last desperate escape and returns to Manukura, DeLaage pursues him with the full force of colonial authority. But nature has its own plans — a catastrophic hurricane, one of the most devastating storms in memory, bears down on the island, and in the face of nature’s overwhelming power, the distinctions between governor and prisoner become meaningless.

The hurricane sequence — twenty minutes of astonishing destruction — remains one of the greatest special effects achievements in cinema history.

Cast & Crew

Director: John Ford

Stars: Jon Hall, Dorothy Lamour, Raymond Massey, Mary Astor, C. Aubrey Smith, Thomas Mitchell, Jerome Cowan, Al Kikume, John Carradine, Kuulei De Clercq

Jon Hall, in his breakthrough role, brings athletic grace and genuine emotional power to the role of the unjustly imprisoned sailor. Dorothy Lamour, the iconic “Sarong Girl,” is luminous as the faithful Marama. Raymond Massey creates a complex antagonist — not a simple villain but a man whose rigid adherence to principle has become its own form of cruelty. Thomas Mitchell provides warm humanity as the doctor who understands the islanders.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized edition of The Hurricane transforms the tropical paradise and its devastating destruction into a visual spectacle of extraordinary power. The turquoise lagoons, swaying palm trees, white sand beaches, and vibrant island culture burst into glorious tropical color, making the beauty of the paradise tangible — and its destruction all the more devastating. The legendary hurricane sequence gains apocalyptic visual power in color. Now also available in colour.

Buy your DRM-free MP4 copy today for just €15.00 and enjoy instant download access on any device.

Historical Significance

Released in 1937, The Hurricane was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards and won a Special Achievement Award for its revolutionary special effects. John Ford’s direction gives equal weight to the intimate human drama and the spectacular destruction sequence. The film’s critique of colonial injustice was remarkably progressive for its era. Through colorization, this spectacular adventure is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes, from original black-and-white
• Audio: Original English mono
• Runtime: 104 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — play on any device
• Instant download: Delivered immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: How impressive is the hurricane sequence?
A: The hurricane sequence is considered one of the greatest special effects achievements in pre-digital cinema. Using a combination of massive water tanks, wind machines, destructible sets, and daring stuntwork, the production created twenty minutes of convincingly apocalyptic destruction. It won a Special Achievement Academy Award and influenced disaster films for decades.

Q: Is John Ford the director?
A: Yes, the legendary John Ford directed The Hurricane. While Ford is best known for his Westerns like Stagecoach and The Searchers, this South Seas adventure demonstrates his remarkable range and his ability to combine intimate character drama with spectacular visual storytelling.

Q: Is Dorothy Lamour famous from this film?
A: While Dorothy Lamour had appeared in earlier films, The Hurricane established her screen persona as the exotic “Sarong Girl” and catapulted her to stardom. She went on to become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, particularly in the Road movies with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file compatible with all major devices and media players.

Q: Is this download DRM-free?
A: Yes, the file has no digital rights management restrictions, so you can watch it on any device without limitations.

Q: How quickly will I receive my download?
A: Instantly — a download link appears on screen and is also sent to your email immediately after purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
• Captains Courageous (1937)
• San Diego I Love You (1944)
• The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944)
• Invisible Agent (1942)