Therese Des Flos, a beautiful young woman, is in love with Andre Verlaine, a captain in the army. She is also pursued by another officer, Remy Baudain. When Andre is assigned to a post in Indochina, Therese's world goes to pieces. Andre has not married her because of his impending stint, but Therese convinces her father, who is in charge of this division, to let her follow Andre.
Things aren't exactly easy for Andre, who falls into a despair by the heat and perhaps his boredom at this forsaken place. He doesn't endear himself to the native troops he commands to guard the prisoners at the lock up. When Therese arrives, she is horrified to see the change in Andre, but they go ahead with the plans to marry. Remy, who has come to the compound, is also completely surprised by what's going on and asks Therese to go back to Saigon with him. As she is about to leave, she discovers that Remy has been killed. Everything points to Nham. Ultimately, Andre gets some of his all self back when he is wounded and he and Therese come to the realization they belong to one another.
"Prestige" is a curiosity film directed by Tay Garnett, a man who always delivered. This RKO-Pathe picture belongs to an era when stories such as this one had no interest in being politically correct, as shown by Andre's attitude toward the natives, who he seems to hate. Even his loyalty toward his servant is put to a test where he shows no compassion either. The film portrays the native men in silly costumes, and even Nahm is black, something that might have been quite a shock for the Indochina of those years. The costume department decided to dress the women in Jantzen swimwear instead of the traditional robes.
Ann Harding is appealing as Therese. Adolph Menjou also has some good moments. We didn't care much for the Andre of Melvyn Douglas, but this is only our opinion. Rollo Boyd, Ian McLaren and the great Clarence Muse are seen in key roles.
"Prestige" is a film to watch by fans of Tay Garnett.
Things aren't exactly easy for Andre, who falls into a despair by the heat and perhaps his boredom at this forsaken place. He doesn't endear himself to the native troops he commands to guard the prisoners at the lock up. When Therese arrives, she is horrified to see the change in Andre, but they go ahead with the plans to marry. Remy, who has come to the compound, is also completely surprised by what's going on and asks Therese to go back to Saigon with him. As she is about to leave, she discovers that Remy has been killed. Everything points to Nham. Ultimately, Andre gets some of his all self back when he is wounded and he and Therese come to the realization they belong to one another.
"Prestige" is a curiosity film directed by Tay Garnett, a man who always delivered. This RKO-Pathe picture belongs to an era when stories such as this one had no interest in being politically correct, as shown by Andre's attitude toward the natives, who he seems to hate. Even his loyalty toward his servant is put to a test where he shows no compassion either. The film portrays the native men in silly costumes, and even Nahm is black, something that might have been quite a shock for the Indochina of those years. The costume department decided to dress the women in Jantzen swimwear instead of the traditional robes.
Ann Harding is appealing as Therese. Adolph Menjou also has some good moments. We didn't care much for the Andre of Melvyn Douglas, but this is only our opinion. Rollo Boyd, Ian McLaren and the great Clarence Muse are seen in key roles.
"Prestige" is a film to watch by fans of Tay Garnett.