This was made in 1944 but not released until 1946 whereupon it became one of Alan Ladd's biggest hits. And deservedly so because it's a vigorous, pleasing adventure tale, with Ladd a little awkward in a cravat but actually trying to stretch himself as the spoilt son of a wealthy ship owner who gets shanghaied on the ship.
I've never read the original book - I know I should because its a classic and all that, but I have the feeling it's very boring full of descriptions of ships and locations, and that Seton I. Miller added the drama. This is only a guess - a dangerous thing when it comes to screenwriter contributions, but Miller knocked The Sea Hawk into shape and his name is on a lot of fine films - in that he knew structure very well but wasn't very original. Two Years Before the Mast the film is full of tropes that are thoroughly road tested, but effective - there's the spoilt rich man's son who is shanghaied; the apparently loyal first mate who has a crisis of conscience; the tyrannical captain; the third act mutiny; a beautiful Spanish girl who comes on board (just like The Sea Hawk!); the cabin boy whose illness prompts the crew to get whipped up; the decent author who records all the action; a comic relief Irishman.
Everyone brought their A game: John Farrow's direction always had a bit more spark in tales of the sea; Ladd is a sturdy hero (as in many of his classic films eg The Blue Dahlia, The Glass Key he gets beaten up); William Bendix is excellent in a very strong role as the torn first mate; Barry Fitzgerald and Brian Donlevy are effective; Darryl Hickman is likable. Most of all there is Howard da Silva's superb performance as the captain - driven, not unsympathetic, scary. Production values are outstanding.
There are flaws - it gets less exciting when things should heat up, and why not resolve Ladd's romantic subplot, or reveal what happened to the mutineers? But its an entertaining yarn and one of the best films Ladd made.
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