THE WHITE TOWER

US, 1950, 98 minutes, Colour.
Glenn Ford, Claude Rains, Alida Valli, Oscar Homolka, Cedric Hardwicke, Lloyd Bridges.
Directed by Ted Tetz1aff.

The White Tower is based on a novel by James Ramsay Ullman. It is popular entertainment of the late 40s, starring a group of people popular at the time. Glenn Ford was about to reach the top of his career. Alida Valli had appeared in some American films as well as The Third Man but was to be more successful at home in Italy. Lloyd Bridges was at the beginning of his stardom. The Alpine scenery is beautiful, the material, however, is more familiar than it might have been at this time.

The film is an action adventure but also a moral fable.

1. Enjoyable action? Moral?

2. Alpine scenery, beauty, challenge, seasons and weather? Musical score?

3. The title, the mountain, climbing mountains, 'because it is there'? Carla's father, his disappearance, the challenge of the mountain, the will to succeed, the measure of self?

4. The situation: Carla's arrival, the encounter with the group at the base of the mountain, her hopes, the expedition, inviting people? Personal clashes, dangers? Personal achievement?

5. Carla and the memory of her father, arriving and being welcomed, her plan, asking Martin, getting the group together, her motives, her skills, facing herself, Martin's help, the achievement, the turning back for him, the happy ending?

6. Martin as the American shot down in Switzerland, staying there, laconic, the observer, getting involved, the clash with the German, his helping Carla, climbing to the top, the clash with the German and his death, snow-blindness, being rescued, returning?

7. Andres as the guide, careful, his admiration for Carla’s father, help for the doctor, for Paul, the return to help Carla and Martin?

8. The doctor, his interest, concern, going up, the wisdom of his decision to go no further?

9. Paul as a writer, commentator, his age, sense of failure, drinking, relationship with his wife, her taunts, the challenge, going up, talking about himself, his staying to finish his book, the achievement, his death?

10. The German and his intensity, the taunts, Superman theories, boasting, not wanting any help, going for the top, his death? The film's stance on Nazis after World War Two?

11. The mountains, the editing, the climbing, weather, endurance, achievement?