What is it about exotic lands that can drive a white man crazy? Especially someone in the foreign legion like officer Melvyn Douglas who is transferred to a penal colony in Africa where the constant beat of drums, hot weather, solitude and the duties he must perform results in him beginning to lose his mind. It doesn't help that he falls prey to the bottle, and when his fiance, Ann Harding arrives, she finds an near shell of a man. utilizing her influence, Harding attempt to get him a transfer, and when they're old friend from France, Adolph Menjou arrives, it appears that Douglas has fallen far too deep to be in command anywhere.
Another case of a foreigner being in a country where he finds that his ways are not their ways, this deals with the subject of colonialism and the natives resent the intrusion of foreigners telling them how to live. This is very deep in many ways and Douglas gives an outstanding performance showing the desperation of a man trying to survive as the World falls apart around him.
Ann Harding offers great support, getting to be much stronger than women in these types of situations in film are usually given. It is also quite a different role for her. But it's the photography and direction by Tay Garnett that makes this worthwhile, providing a tense atmosphere and some genuinely healing moments that keeps the audience enthralled. The ending however leaves a couple of questions unanswered, sort of just bringing the film to a halt without a complete conclusion to what the audience spent 70 minutes becoming involved in.
Another case of a foreigner being in a country where he finds that his ways are not their ways, this deals with the subject of colonialism and the natives resent the intrusion of foreigners telling them how to live. This is very deep in many ways and Douglas gives an outstanding performance showing the desperation of a man trying to survive as the World falls apart around him.
Ann Harding offers great support, getting to be much stronger than women in these types of situations in film are usually given. It is also quite a different role for her. But it's the photography and direction by Tay Garnett that makes this worthwhile, providing a tense atmosphere and some genuinely healing moments that keeps the audience enthralled. The ending however leaves a couple of questions unanswered, sort of just bringing the film to a halt without a complete conclusion to what the audience spent 70 minutes becoming involved in.