Operatic drama with Anthony Quinn as a Nevada land baron who travels to Italy & marries the sister of his dead wife. The new wife is Anna Magnani and she proves to be an opinionated pistol. Refusing to acquiesce to self appointed king Quinn, Magnani embarks on a passionate affair with ranch hand Anthony Franciosa. The fact that Franciosa is Quinn's adopted son heightens the melodrama. Magnani, in her second American film (after her Oscar-winning performance in THE ROSE TATTOO), gives a great performance. She exudes sexuality and has a lot of chemistry with both of her leading men. Directed by George Cukor (who replaced John Sturges after Sturges realized the film was shaping into a romance). The now classic music score, including the much recorded title song, is by Dimitri Tiomkin. Charles Lang did the cinematography. The supporting cast includes Joseph Calleia, Lili Valenty (excellent as Quinn's loyal sister-in-law), and Dolores Hart.
Review of Wild Is the Wind
