A strong effort from Ford. I really appreciated his use of space and sound, and the general flow of the film which allowed the pictures to do the talking (with a couple of exceptions). The first few dialogue-free minutes in particular are very atmospheric, evoking the heat, the restlessness, and the desires of the men on board.

John Ford demonstrated a keen insight for human interaction when faced with perilous circumstances. It is a recurring theme throughout his career, and here is one of its most exemplary incarnations. An appropriate mix of joy and despair, deeply felt kinship and paranoia. The cynical depiction of established authority is an interesting angle. Gregg Toland's moody photography is a major highlight.