PASSION
US, 1955, 84 minutes, Colour.
Cornel Wilde, Yvonne de Carlo, Raymond Burr, Lon Chaney Jr.
Directed by Alan Dwan.
Passion is a colourful action melodrama of the '50s directed by veteran Alan Dwan. Cornel Wilde and Yvonne de Carlo appeared in many of this kind of film. Raymond Burr and Lon Chaney also.
The colour photography of old California is an asset. Otherwise the film is expected action adventure ? critics wondered whether there was anything in the story or action to justify the title!
1. An enjoyable Californian western? The 18th. century and the Spanish occupation of California? The opening up of the land? Violent clashes?
2. Colour photography, locations, the open plains, the snow and the mountains? Period costume and decor? Musical score?
3. The title and audience expectations? Justified? In action, characters?
4. Juan Oberon and his vaqueros? The ownership of the land, the ancient rights and claims? Don Domingo and the clash? Domingo’s attacking the ranch? The killing of Gaspar, his wife, Rosa? Juan's love for Rosa? Their child? Vengeance? The pursuit of Domingo's men? The stalking of them, the killing? The confrontation with Sandro? The mountain chase? The discovery that his child is alive? The confession from Sandro, the police captain and the confession? Tonia and her love for him?
5. Yvonne de Carlo as Rosa and Tonia? The clash of type? Their infatuation for Juan? Rosa and the marriage? The child? Her death? Tonia and the pursuit? Following Juan? The mountains?
6. Rodriguez and his role as police captain, the investigation of the killings, the pursuit of Juan, the confession of Sandro? Political and financial links?
7. Domingo and the land claims, the gang, the cruelty of the attack on the ranch, the murders? The members of the gang? The pursuit? Sandro and his being pursued into the mountains?
8. The saving of Juan's child, her being cared for, Tonia discovering the truth? The happy news for Juan? The)reunion?
9. The American heritage, California, the ingredients of. the western in 18th. century style?
