WE WERE STRANGERS

US, 1949, 106 minutes, Black and white.
Jennifer Jones, John Garfield, Pedro Armendarez, Gilbert Roland, Ramon Navarro.
Directed by John Huston.

We Were Strangers is an interesting film for many reasons. First of all, it was directed by John Huston, a writer who had made a big impact in the early 1940s with The Maltese Falcon and had continued with a strong succession of films. Around this time he made Treasure of the Sierra Madre and Key Largo and was about to make The Red Badge of Courage and The African Queen.

The film is very interesting in retrospect. It is the story of a fascist regime in Cuba, that of Gerardo Machado, 1925 to 1933. He was driven from power by a revolution. He was supported by the United States. Ten years after this film was released, Fidel Castro led the revolution against the Batista government – not with the backing of the United States. The timing for the release of the film did not help it. It was the time of the investigation into un-American activities and the black list was about to be introduced as well as the era of the Mc Carthy inquiries and hearings.

Jennifer Jones is a bank clerk who becomes a fiery revolutionary. John Garfield is an American (actually a Cuban exile) who is stirring up revolution.

The film is interesting in its casting, in its presentation of political issues of the 1930s, of the life of Cuba and its government and revolutions.

1. How enjoyable was this film as an adventure, as a romantic film, the interplay of character?

2. How evident was it from the style that this film was made in the 40s? Black and white photography, the studio sets, the use of music, the quality of photography? How well were these used?

3. How interesting a film on revolution was this? What stance did the film take? On revolution, on the use of violence, on death? What audience response did it presuppose? Did it want to influence its audience on these issues?

4. How important for the film and its impact was it that it dealt with history although recent history? How does dealing with history distance the issues discussed and portrayed? Was the film a record of revolution in Cuba was it countenancing it, giving it sympathy?

5. How well was the atmosphere of Cuba conveyed? Latin- American feeling? The situation of oppression distributing leaflets, pursuits, assassinations on steps, Armando and the various pressures the status of American banks, money control, files, limitations of freedom? How oppressive was it in Cuba? How much need was there for revolution?

6. How attractive a heroine was China? Her situation in her family, her attachment to her brother, the vigil fort viewing the assassination? the major influences on her decisions to help the revolutionaries? Her role as a woman? In the bank, her courage, her participation in the plot, the attentions of Amando? the collaboration with Tony and the change in her affections? How did she change during the film? Was her life more worthwhile? Her response to a cause and to people?

7. How heroic a figure was Tony? His American- Cuban background? His intensity, memories, ambitions and drives, the details of his plans? How callous and unfeeling was he? How patriotic and driven? The emotional effect of his love? The project and his disappointment in his change of plans? The nature of his escape and his wanting China to be safe? The inevitability of the ultimate fighting and his death? What was the purpose of his life?

8. How evil was Armando? His role in the government, performing the assassination himself? the evil in him? His attention on China at the bank, at home? His drunkenness? His checking on files etc? Was he well portrayed as an appropriate villain for this film?

9. The contribution of the characters in the plot? The reasons for their joining, the digging, the difficulties of the digging, the smell of the corpses, the hard work and the details the plans? The impact of the member going mad, and his walking and talking on the streets? The risks they were prepared to undertake?

10. How cold-blooded was the assassination in the car? How necessary? The discussions about the associations with the dead man’s son? The inevitability of plans going wrong and the changes? Does this always happen? Why? The unforeseen circumstances?

11. How well did the film portray violence? The discussions about the use of violence, assassination, explosives, the killing of innocent people although related to the tyranny? The violence portrayed at the end of the film? What audience response and judgement was there as regards violence?

12. How well explored and portrayed was the theme of defiance and courage?

13. What was the purpose of making this film? Entertainment. realism?

14. On the whole was it effective drama or melodrama? What were its main values?