I am and have always been a fan of Van Heflin's work but the first time I saw this film back in the 70s I didn't even recognize him at first. Perhaps the only other actor that could have done justice to this role of Pugachev would have been Orson Welles but I don't even think Welles could have topped Van Heflin's work here. Heflin was an incredible actor with a diverse body of work, that he could pull off a role like this really underscores what a skilled actor he truly was.
The film is not bad and I recommend it but what drives it home is Van Heflin.
Review of Tempest
