PANDORA AND THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

UK, 1950, 122 Minutes, Colour.
Ava Gardner, James Mason, Nigel Patrick, Sheila Sim.
Directed by Albert Lewin.

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman is a fantasy taking the old theme of the Dutchman who could never rest and his encounter with a beautiful woman. Written and directed by Albert Lewin, who had adapted such classics as Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Grey and the Private Affairs of Bel Ami by Maupassant, the film is very literary in its approach, elegant and slow moving. Ava Gardner is an obvious choice for the woman. James Mason is effective as the elusive Dutchman. Nigel Patrick, by way of contrast, presents the eager young man of the 20th century. The film is colourful, interesting, but is not as moving as it might be.

1. Was this an entertaining film? Why? Story, colourful locations, fantasy?

2. How obvious was the fable? Why? Was the film attractive as a fantasy fable? Why?

3. How well did it put into modern situations the old myths of Pandora and the Flying Dutchman? Pandora opens a box out of curiosity and trouble comes out and overwhelms her. The Flying Dutchman has murdered out of jealousy and is condemned to run the world to find someone who will sacrifice herself for him and liberate him. How well were these translated into modern settings, cinematically?

4. Was the flashback technique helpful for this film? Why? Was our curiosity aroused? How suitable for the film was the narrative style in Geoffrey's words? He told not only the story but made comments on it and also indicated to the audience the nature of the fantasy. was this suitable or overdone?

5. Who was the central character Pandora or Hendrick? Why? What kind of person was Pandora ? in herself, in her career, as rich and as a playgirl? How did she embody the myth of Pandora in her behaviour? Her relationship with Stephen? The demands of her sacrifice? Her love for Stephen, her love for Hendrick? The fact that the bullfighter was jealous for her love? Was she a capricious person? Was she an attractive and lovable person? why?

6. How interesting a character was Hendrick? How did the film create an atmosphere of mystery about him? His sudden appearance, the mysterious yacht, his painting, the fact that he had no crew? what was his response to seeing Pandora? His realisation of his love for her? The realisation that she could liberate him? What was the dramatic impact of his translating and reading the story of the Dutchman to Geoffrey? What impact did this have on the audience as regards the fable and the fantasy? Why did he then realise that his love for Pandora meant that she must not sacrifice herself for him? How hurtful was this for both of them? How glad was he when she came back to him? Was the sacrifice worth the love and the love worth the sacrifice? Was there a fatalism about their deaths and the destruction of the yacht? Did James Mason give a credible performance as the Dutchman of centuries gone by ? in particular details which indicated his knowledge, his not dying?

7. How did Stephen contrast with Hendrick? How normal was he, how callow? The nature of his love for Pandora? His reaction to the sacrifice of his car? (What were your reactions?) The fact that Pandora saw him a taking back the sacrifice? Was he at all jealous?

8. The contribution of Geoffrey to the film? Besides being a commentator, his interest in antiquities? Piecing together puzzles? His ability to believe in fantasy? The importance of Janet as a foil for Pandora, her love for Stephen? Was she an important character or just important for background? Why?

9. What was the importance of the sequences with the bullfighter? Did they fit in well with the rest of the film? His jealousy and love for Pandora? His murderous attack? The sequences in the arena and the build-up with the absence of Hendrick? His shock to see Hendrick? The poetic justice of his death? How dramatic was this for the finale of the film?

10. Since this was a fable, what points were being made? What morals were being drawn? Did they come across well within the cinematic conventions of the film?