THE PRODIGAL
US, 1955, 106 minutes, Colour.
Lana Turner, Edmund Purdon, Louis Calhern.
Directed by Richard Thorpe.
The Prodigal is a Hollywood attempt at biblical melodrama. Over the decades this kind of film has been very popular even before Cecil B. de Mille made the Ten Commandments and The King of Kings. However Hollywood writers usually take a text and elaborate melodramatic stories taken more from the Arabian Nights or the Roman Empire than the Bible. This has been done with the parable of Jesus, the Prodigal Son. The basic ingredients of the story are there but there is quite a lot of enlargement of what the Prodigal did when he left home, especially in getting into the clutches of the pagans in Damascus, the high priestess and her business manager. Lana Turner received the central focus as the high priestess and Louis Calhern is a villainous mercenary high priest. Edmund Purdom, in one of his earliest roles e.g. the Egyptian and The King's Thief and The Student Prince, is agreeable as the Prodigal. A number of good actors fill out the supporting roles.
1. An enjoyable biblical spectacular? The Hollywood tradition of biblical spectaculars in visual presentation, use of the Bible, amplification according to Hollywood traditions? Audience response to these spectaculars? Interest in the ancient world, especially if sanctified by religion? Is this a fair presupposition about this film?
2. The production values, colour, sets, Cinemascope? Spectacle, religion, paganism?
3. The New Testament origins of the plot? How much fidelity to the original? The point of the original as one of Christ's parables? Was the parable aspect of the film retained? How well did Hollywood amplify the meagre details from Scripture? An interesting plot?
4. Micah's Hebrew world and religious style? The presentation of the Hebrews, Hebrew religion and its bonds and obligations, the family, the patriarchal nature of the family?
5. Micah himself as potential hero, his place in the family, attitude towards his father, decision about leaving? Relationship with his older brother? The basis of his decisions?
6. The introduction of Samarah? Lana Turner suitable in this role? The contrast of pagan religions? Samarah and her role as a High Priestess and therefore opposite to Hebrew religion? Her lack of scruple, her following? The relationship with Micah? His infatuation, her varied responses? The importance of the pearl (biblical overtones?), and the lengths to which Micah would go for Samarah? Her domination by Nahreeb? Samarah's change of attitude with Michah? Imprisonment? The violence of her death? (Values and Hollywood ethics?)
7. The application of the scriptural verses to Micah, his way of living in Damascus, his misfortunes, humiliation, return to his father's house, welcome by his father, clash with his brother, the servants? How interesting were the parallels?
8. Damascus as the faraway land, religion, the people, droughts, superstition?
9. Nahreeb as a typical villain? His plots, hold over people? The clash with Micah and Micah becoming a social hero with revolution? The motives for his heroism, repentance?
10. The contribution of the gallery of minor characters, eg. Micah's father, the usurer, the people in Damascus?
11. The appeal of the cinema blend of religion, sexuality, violence? Box office appeal? How much sincerity goes into the making of such films? Does this matter as regards their enjoyment?
