I was at a disadvantage in not seeing this film in it's original 3-D. But even as a 2-D character thriller, it's pretty effective in a B-movie way.
In its time, it wasn't seen as a B-movie, with the high end 3D process, and being one of the first films in stereo. But seeing it as a B-movie now gives a better feel for its strengths (which are considerable) and forgiveness for it's weaknesses.
A man with a broken leg has been left to die out in the Mojave desert by his wife and her younger lover. While this couple 's actions are clearly unforgivable, the man they abandon isn't particularly sympathetic himself. As played by Robert Ryan he's a wealthy, selfish spoiled brat, used to having things on his terms, not caring much for the feelings of others. I admired the film's bravery in having such a hard to like anti-hero, and still succeeding in getting us caught up in his struggle to survive. (If this were made today, Hollywood would never dare have a survival film hero this dark).
It's sort of desert film noir – bright and colorful instead of black and white and shadowy, but the feel is the same – a world of seedy characters and moral quagmires.
On first viewing, while always interesting, it lacked those deeper layers that make a classic noir. I enjoyed it, will re-watch it, but never felt deeply involved emotionally and started to forget it fairly quickly once it was done. Whereas, say, 'Double Indemnity', was permanently stamped on my brain from a first viewing. So this might not be a classic, but it's still well- worth catching.
Hard to find on DVD, but there is a decent Spanish release you can track down. And rumor has it that a long overdue US release if finally in the works.
In its time, it wasn't seen as a B-movie, with the high end 3D process, and being one of the first films in stereo. But seeing it as a B-movie now gives a better feel for its strengths (which are considerable) and forgiveness for it's weaknesses.
A man with a broken leg has been left to die out in the Mojave desert by his wife and her younger lover. While this couple 's actions are clearly unforgivable, the man they abandon isn't particularly sympathetic himself. As played by Robert Ryan he's a wealthy, selfish spoiled brat, used to having things on his terms, not caring much for the feelings of others. I admired the film's bravery in having such a hard to like anti-hero, and still succeeding in getting us caught up in his struggle to survive. (If this were made today, Hollywood would never dare have a survival film hero this dark).
It's sort of desert film noir – bright and colorful instead of black and white and shadowy, but the feel is the same – a world of seedy characters and moral quagmires.
On first viewing, while always interesting, it lacked those deeper layers that make a classic noir. I enjoyed it, will re-watch it, but never felt deeply involved emotionally and started to forget it fairly quickly once it was done. Whereas, say, 'Double Indemnity', was permanently stamped on my brain from a first viewing. So this might not be a classic, but it's still well- worth catching.
Hard to find on DVD, but there is a decent Spanish release you can track down. And rumor has it that a long overdue US release if finally in the works.