THE SINS OF RACHEL CADE
US, 1960, 123 minutes, Colour.
Angie Dickinson, Roger Moore, Peter Finch, Errol John, Woody Strode, Juano Hernandez, Frederick O'Neal, Mary Wickes.
Directed by Gordon Douglas.
The Sins of Rachel Cade reminded audiences in the early '60s of The Nun's Story, released in 1959. Probably Rachel Cade will still remind audiences of The Nun's Story. .
The film portrays a young American missionary who is a nurse in the Belgian Congo before World War Two. She works with the villagers to help them and clashes of course with their witch doctors and their influence. She has a romance with a -flyer, played by Roger Moore. She has a friend in Derode, the Belgian Commissioner, played by Peter Finch (once more reminding audiences of The Nun's Story). There is a strong supporting cast of black actors including Errol John, Woody Strode, Scatman Crothers, Frederick O'Neal, Rafer Johnson.
The film is colourful, romantic, earnest - and has a lush Max Steiner score. Direction is by Gordon Douglas, director generally of westerns and action dramas.
1. An entertaining romantic melodrama?
2. Location photography, the atmosphere of Africa? The 1930s? The musical score?
3. The title and its focus on Rachel? Her moral stances as a missionary? her relationship with Wilton? The consequences? Audiences bringing moral judgment to story and characters?
4. Angie Dickinson as Rachel Cade? Credible as a missionary? As a nurse? The impact of her arrival? her predecessor and the run-down condition of the village? Her establishing herself? The assistance she received? The reaction of the villagers? Clashes with the High Priest and witch doctor? The encounter with Paul Wilton, the crash, the rescue, nursing him, falling in love, the affair? The effect on Rachel and her conscience? The reaction of the people in the village? Her pregnancy? The encounters with Derode? His comments on her being there, suitability of her work? His respect for her, falling in love with her? His stern manner? Derode telling Paul to come? His return and offering to take her to America? Rachel’s reaction to him, to his sense of duty? Her decision to stay with her child in the village? The support of Derode?
5. Peter Finch as the Belgian Commissioner, his response to Rachel's arrival? Urging her to leave? His visitations? The clashes with the witchdoctor? His reaction to her affair with Paul? His decision to tell Paul the news? Paul's return? Derode's standing by Rachel?
6. Roger Moore's style as Paul Wilton, the RAF, the plane crash, the rescue, Rachel nursing him, his response to her, convalescence, falling in love, the affair? His leaving? Not knowing she was pregnant? His return, his proposal, her turning him down?
7. The portrayal of the villagers: their needs, Christianity, physical and medical needs? Their village chiefs? The attitudes towards the missionaries? The High Priest and witch doctor? Local customs and religions? The clash with Rachel, blaming her?
8. The religious themes: the missionary and her integrity, moral stances? The encounter with Paul, the affair? Her pregnancy? Her decision to stay in the village with her baby?
9. The popular ingredients of romance, betrayal, moral responsibility, guilt?
