As the Second World War breaks out, German freighter captain Karl Ehrlich is about to leave Sydney, Australia with his vessel, the Ergenstrasse. Ehrlich, an anti-Nazi but proud German, hopes to outrun or out-maneuver the British warship pursuing him. Aboard his vessel is Elsa Keller, a woman Ehrlich has been ordered to return to Germany safely along with whatever secrets she carries. When Ehrlich's fiercely Nazi chief officer Kirchner commits an atrocity, the British pursuit becomes deadly.
John Wayne
as Captain Karl Ehrlich
Lana Turner
as Elsa Keller
David Farrar
as Commander Jeff Napier
James Arness
as Schlieter
Tab Hunter
as Cadet Wesser
Lyle Bettger
as Chief Officer Kirchner
Paul Fix
as Max Heinz
Claude Akins
as Winkler
John Qualen
as Chief Engineer Schmitt
Alan Hale Jr.
as Wentz
Richard Davalos
as Cadet Walter Stemme (as Dick Davalos)
Lowell Gilmore
as Capt. Evans
