Anthony Quinn is the best actor here, making a more than convincing Spanish conquistador heading the expedition to secure all California for the Spanish in the late 18th century with critical success to begin with. In his retinue is Michael Rennie as the priest in charge of establishing the church in these remote parts in the far west of America beyond he deserts, also with limited success to begin with. The drama of the film is the conflict with the Indians, appearing as downright savages with very sly means for making war on the intruders, and Jeffrey Hunter makes a very convincing leader of them, vacillating between disbelief and trust in a religion that does not allow him three wives but only one. The turnout of events makes him strongly doubt the credibility of the religion of these modern intruders and with very good reasons. Richard Egan plays the difficult part, the soldier who commits himself in a love affair with one of the prettiest Indian girls with fatal consequences. The film is actually a drama of faith, the inevitability of doubt and the questioning of the meaning of this whole business, while it's also the question whether the priest actually succeeds in saving the credibility or not. He makes a great performance, but Anthony Quinn is the ultimate winner of the game.
Review of Seven Cities of Gold
