A most interesting film, but Ophuls' masterpiece it is not. Often sweepingly directed in Ophuls' usual imaginatively rococo style and full to overflowing with rich pictorial splendors, certainly, but at times, incredibly, it is just plain dull. I've only seen the complete 140-minute version. It is possible that the re-edited versions are more lively, but I've no great desire to see them.
Sad to say, one of my favorite stars, Martine Carol, does not come out of this chore with any great distinction. A wordy and poorly characterized script is partly to blame. It's also probable that director Ophuls spent so much time arranging the film's decor and its opulent visual effects, he had little to spare for Miss Carol — a natural beauty but not a natural actress. She's a lady that needs careful and sympathetic direction. Here, as in her other disasters such as "Action of the Tiger" (1957) and "The Stowaway" (1958), she was doubtless left largely to her own devices. Her costumes are a problem too. Colorful enough, but far too dressy. Hardly the sort of material to inspire her fans to commence cheering.
The other actors are not much help either. Peter Ustinov's slow delivery hinders the pace as much as the careful mannerisms of Anton Walbrook. But at least Walbrook has presence, whereas Ustinov appears miscast. Ivan Desny seems too heavy, and by contrast, Oscar Werner too eager.
Breathtaking photography with an often inspired use of CinemaScope, plus huge production values, can only marginally save what — sad to say — basically comes across as a rather empty, emotionally sterile production. (The 110-minutes CinemaScope version is currently available on a Fox Lorber DVD).
Sad to say, one of my favorite stars, Martine Carol, does not come out of this chore with any great distinction. A wordy and poorly characterized script is partly to blame. It's also probable that director Ophuls spent so much time arranging the film's decor and its opulent visual effects, he had little to spare for Miss Carol — a natural beauty but not a natural actress. She's a lady that needs careful and sympathetic direction. Here, as in her other disasters such as "Action of the Tiger" (1957) and "The Stowaway" (1958), she was doubtless left largely to her own devices. Her costumes are a problem too. Colorful enough, but far too dressy. Hardly the sort of material to inspire her fans to commence cheering.
The other actors are not much help either. Peter Ustinov's slow delivery hinders the pace as much as the careful mannerisms of Anton Walbrook. But at least Walbrook has presence, whereas Ustinov appears miscast. Ivan Desny seems too heavy, and by contrast, Oscar Werner too eager.
Breathtaking photography with an often inspired use of CinemaScope, plus huge production values, can only marginally save what — sad to say — basically comes across as a rather empty, emotionally sterile production. (The 110-minutes CinemaScope version is currently available on a Fox Lorber DVD).