THUNDER IN THE SUN

US, 1959, 81 minutes, Colour.
Susan Hayward, Jeff Chandler, Jacques Bergerac, Blanche Yurka, Carl Esmond, Fortunio Bonanova.
Directed by Russell Rouse.

Thunder in the Sun is a brief western from the late 50s. It is unusual in the sense that it shows a group of migrants from the Basque territory migrating to the United States, travelling through Indian territory with vines which they want to use to set up vineyards in the west.

Susan Hayward is one of the Basques – and does a flamenco dance, indicating the Spanish origins of the group. Jeff Chandler is the strong and upright man of the west. The film is mainly about the trek across the west and finishes with a confrontation with the Indians.

The film was co-written and directed by Russell Rouse, better known as a writer with such credits as Pillow Talk, DOA. He directed a few films including A House Is Not a Home and The Oscar.

1. How enjoyable a Western? American heritage?

2. The variation on the Western conventions, the introduction about the French Basques, their experience in Napoleonic wars and the Pyrenees? the usage of this fighting the Indians? The variation on the theme of trekking across America, pioneering, the hopes of the West? The guide and his toughness, the characters and their nationality and traditions, the fiery heroine? An average presentation, better?

3. Colour photography, desert locations? The value of the music, the French Basque musical traditions, the song and its lyrics?

4. How credible was the plot? The historical background? The hopes of the Basques and the planting of the vines, the need for keeping their vines alive? The trek across America, their difficulties, water, Indians? The credibility of the human relationships? Satisfactory for this kind of Western?

5. The focus on the guide: Jeff Chandler and his type, the introduction to him as drunk, womanizing? The typical man of the West? His strength, guns, passion for Gabrielle? Emotional conflicts, his wisdom in leading them, his gradual admiration, his finally persuading Gabrielle to go ahead? The love for Gabrielle? A developed character for this kind of Western? The comparison with Gabrielle, her background. fiery temperament, introduction to her by the dancing, the guide's passion for her, her suspicious response, the tradition of betrothal at a young age, her respect and loyalty for Andre? Her hatred for the guide, her gradual admiration, love?

6. The minor characters and their influence, Andre and his status, his knowledge of what was happening to Gabrielle, the meaning of his death and his intention? The other young Frenchman and his conceding of his love for Gabrielle? The women and their traditions, superstition, pregnancy and birth? The Americans at the fort and their not understanding the French, their traditions? The presentation of the Indians?

7. The presentation of the social theme of the migration, vineyard planting, the opening up of California? The European background of this group, especially emphasized in their calls and sounds, religious traditions, marriage traditions? Having to adapt to America?

8. Comment on the visual presentation of the trek, the mountains, the desert. water, fire, Indians?

9. The highlight of the fight between the two men in the desert with the community looking on? The build-up to the fighting of the Indians using the techniques from the Pyrenees?

9. The Western themes of heritage, strength and adaptation, pioneering? The theme of love and hatred. respect and freedom? Insight into human nature?