Review of Plunder of the Sun (1953) by Nick F — 23 Mar 2010
Noirish adaption of the David Dodge novel is highlighted by extensive use of Mexican locales and a strong performance by Glen Ford. Its hard to imagine John Wayne, whose production company put the film together, bringing the stoicism that Ford delivers and matches the novel perfectly.
Unfortunately, the movie substitutes the more interesting Inca gold plot and setting in Peru for a treasure in Mexico. In the novel, the treasure is truly lost in barely charted territory, but here its inside a hidden chamber in a ruin frequented by tourists; just not as believable.
Sean McClory is colorful as the chatty and nuanced heavy, Jefferson (note: in the novel this character is black). Diana Lynn's part is way too melodramatic, but its the same in the novel, so its no fault of the movie.
The movie is photographed beautifully with an ominous atmosphere of shadows indoors that contrasts well with the luminous cinematography of the ruins of Vera Cruz and other locales. Kudos also goes to the score by Antonio DÃaz Conde.
Worth noting is the second-unit work by future Western/action director Andrew V. McLaglen.
This review of Plunder of the Sun (1953) was written by Nick F on 23 Mar 2010.
Plunder of the Sun has generally received mixed reviews.
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