SEVEN CITIES OF GOLD

US, 1955, 103 minutes, Colour.
Richard Egan, Anthony Quinn, Michael Rennie, Jeffrey Hunter, Rita Moreno.
Directed by Robert D. Webb.

Seven Cities of Gold is an early Cinemascope film, a spectacular look at a Spanish expedition in California in the 18th century, the search for fabled cities of gold.

Richard Egan and Anthony Quinn lead the Spanish expedition. Jeffrey Hunter and Rita Moreno portray Indians. Of particular interest, especially for the religious history of California, is the presence of Michael Rennie as Father Junipero Serra, the Franciscan who established so many of the mission towns along the California coast.

This particular film focuses on the San Diego mission. Father Serra is venerated all along the California coast as a pioneer of Christianity as well as a humane intermediary between the Spaniards and the Indians.

The film was directed by Robert D. Webb, a second-unit director for many decades before beginning to direct films in the early 1950s. He directed a number of action adventures including White Feather, Beneath the Twelve Mile Reef and directed Elvis Presley’s first film, Love Me Tender.

1. How enjoyable an adventure film? The appeal of adventure ingredients? Colour, widescreen?

2. The film as an aspect of American history? Its interest, portrayal of the American heritage? Its value in this regard?

3. The sketching in of the background of Mexico, Spain, the exploration of California? The Spanish adventurers, the Indians and their hostility? The truth of such fables as The Seven Cities of Gold? As motivation for adventure and pioneering? The role of the Church?

4. The portrayal of the Spanish authorities and their arrogance? The initial encounter with Portola and Jose? Life and death? Authority and ambition, greed and power?

5. The initial contrast with Father Serra? The film’s portrayal of Father Serra as a person? As a Franciscan and a priest? His religious motivation and dedication? His physical disability and yet his endurance? His attitude toward the missionary work of the Church? His attitude towards people?

6. The reason for Father Serra's going on the expedition? The contrast of his goals with the goals of greed and gold? The contrast of motivations, of Church and State? The scene of his blessing the troops? The types of people who went on such expeditions?

7. The portrayal of the expedition itself, difficulties and endurance? The clashes with the Indians? Sieges and suffering, death, diplomacy? Comment on the attitude of the Spaniards towards the Indians?

8. How sympathetic was the portrayal of the Indians? Matuwer as the Indian hero? His grandfather?

9. The arrogance of Jose and his ambitions during exploration? His infatuation with Ula? Love and its consequences? The significance of her happiness in life, the suddenness of her death?

10. The consequences of love and death? For the Indians in terms of vengeance? For the Spaniards in terms of self protection and sacrificing Jose?

11. How well drawn was the character of Jose? His anti-religious attitides? Father Serra's friendship? His final change of heart, Mass and Communion? His self sacrifice? How convincing?

12. The film's comments on the expedition? How much failure, how much success? Their moving away, Father Serra’s disappointment, the fleet arriving and the pioneering going on?

13. How enjoyable, interesting and valuable are such mixtures of fact and fiction in American history and pioneering?