Crosswinds

Crosswinds

Year: 1951

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Lewis R. Foster

ActionAdventure

RED-HOT SAGA OF THE SOUTH SEAS! A sailor gets his boat stolen from him after he’s set up for a crime.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Crosswinds yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Crosswinds (1951)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Crosswinds (1951). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

World War II era

The story unfolds in the mid-20th century amid wartime tensions and postwar opportunism. War loyalties are tested as past betrayals surface and treasure becomes a focal point for competing factions. The presence of naval authorities, seaplanes, and exotic islands anchors the period in a harsh, colonial-era frontier. The era's danger and greed intensify the race to recover the missing gold and the plane.

Location

New Guinea

A tropical port setting in New Guinea frames the action, with schooners and remote islands dotting the coastline. The Seeker and The Susan anchor at a coastal town as players circle like ships in a web of plans for gold and pearls. The island terrain brings danger in the form of headhunters and crocodile-crested waterways, shaping the characters' choices. The port life, weather, and sea routes drive a story of trust, betrayal, and treasure.

🏝️ Tropical 🚢 Seafaring 🗺️ Island geography

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:14

Main Characters – Crosswinds (1951)

Meet the key characters of Crosswinds (1951), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jumbo Johnson — Forrest Tucker

A brash, risk-taking adventurer who teams up with Steve to pursue a potential gold heist. He is wary of Brandon yet adaptable, forming a pragmatic bond that keeps the plan alive. Jumbo’s loyalty is tested by shifting alliances, and his quick instincts help him navigate treachery and danger.

🧭 Adventurous 🛡️ Loyal ⚖️ Cautious

Katherine Shelley — Rhonda Fleming

A grieving widow drawn into the voyage by circumstance and opportunity. She seeks purpose and perhaps escape from sorrow by joining the expedition, and her presence complicates loyalties. Captured by headhunters, she becomes a focal point around which others act.

💔 Heartbroken 🗺️ Determined

Steve Singleton — John Payne

Seaplane captain who fixes and sails with The Susan crew, initially proposing the pearl-diving trip. He navigates shifting loyalties, ultimately seeking to outmaneuver the English conspirators while keeping Jumbo informed. His plan is compromised by betrayals, yet he survives to see Katherine sail away with him at the end.

🧭 Strategic 💪 Determined

Nick Brandon — Robert Lowery

Brandon is a seaplane pilot who schemes for a share of the treasure, betraying Steve during the war. His actions trigger a chain of betrayals and deadly confrontations, culminating in his death near an island after Katherine’s capture goes awry.

🕵️ Betrayer ⚡ Ambitious

Cecil Daubrey — Alan Mowbray

An English challenger who partners with Mousey to hunt for the gold, manipulating plans for personal gain. His confidence in the scheme leads to dangerous bets and ultimately a fatal fall when headhunters strike. His role embodies calculated deception within a volatile expedition.

🎭 Deceptive 🗡️ Schemer

Mousey Sykes — John Abbott

The second English conspirator whose scheming mirrors Cecil's, driving the net-trap ploy and heightening danger for everyone aboard. He pays the price for greed when the plan collapses and he meets a grisly end.

🎭 Deceptive 💀 Danger

Bumidai — Frank Kumagai

A native crew member who contributes to the voyage through perilous maritime settings and interactions with island communities. His presence adds an authentic layer to the sea voyage and the local dynamics of the island world.

🌺 Native 🧭 Navigational

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:14

Major Themes – Crosswinds (1951)

Explore the central themes of Crosswinds (1951), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Betrayal

Betrayal threads through the plot as allies turn on each other for personal gain. Brandon's wartime treachery fuels mistrust among the main players and paves the way for double-crosses. The English duo's deception against Steve and Jumbo escalates risk and shifts the balance of power. Trust becomes a scarce resource in a landscape defined by profit and peril.

💰 Greed

Greed drives the actions of multiple characters as they chase a rumored ten-million-dollar treasure. The quest for pearls and gold motivates forged documents and perilous voyages. The pursuit of wealth leads to risky collaborations, bold escapes, and brutal consequences like death at the hands of betrayal and nature. The treasure hunt reframes loyalties and tests judgment under pressure.

🌊 Survival

Survival forces characters to improvise amid a lethal sea, hostile headhunters, and unpredictable weather. The protagonists must rely on wits, timing, and makeshift alliances to outmaneuver better-equipped adversaries. The island world functions as a crucible where traitors, victims, and survivors reveal their true instincts. The sea becomes both playground and trap, shaping every decision.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:14

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Treacherous Treasure Hunt Movies like Crosswinds

Stories where the hunt for riches is filled with constant betrayal and shifting alliances.If you enjoyed the double-crosses and dangerous pursuit of stolen treasure in Crosswinds, you'll love these movies. This list features similar adventure thrillers and action stories where greed fuels a volatile hunt, filled with betrayal and set in exotic, perilous locations.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a protagonist who is wronged or pulled into a high-stakes chase. The plot is driven by a series of betrayals and deceptions as various parties, all driven by greed, vie for the same prize. The journey is often as dangerous as the adversaries, involving survival against environmental and human threats, leading to a final confrontation over the coveted reward.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their central theme of a volatile treasure hunt fueled by greed. They share a tense, suspenseful mood created by constant double-crosses, a fast pace that keeps the stakes high, and an adventurous yet dangerous atmosphere where no one can be trusted.

Fugitive Thriller Movies similar to Crosswinds

Action-packed chases where a framed hero must clear their name while evading capture.Fans of Crosswinds will appreciate these similar high-intensity thrillers. Explore more movies featuring a hero framed for a crime, leading to a fast-paced adventure of survival, evasion, and a quest for justice against treacherous antagonists in a dangerous setting.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern begins with an inciting incident that frames the protagonist, instantly turning them into a fugitive. The plot is a race against time as they are pursued by both authorities and the actual culprits. The journey involves gathering allies (who may be untrustworthy), overcoming environmental obstacles, and piecing together the conspiracy against them, culminating in a confrontation to clear their name.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by the core premise of a wrongfully accused hero on the run. They create a cohesive experience through high intensity, a tense and suspenseful tone, a fast pacing that mirrors the protagonist's desperation, and a focus on survival and uncovering deception.

Unlock the Full Story of Crosswinds

Don't stop at just watching — explore Crosswinds in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Crosswinds is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Crosswinds Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Crosswinds, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Crosswinds Summary

Crosswinds Timeline

Track the full timeline of Crosswinds with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Crosswinds Timeline

Crosswinds Spoiler-Free Summary

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Crosswinds Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Crosswinds

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Crosswinds: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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