Sirocco (film)

Infobox_Film
name = Sirocco


caption = DVD Cover
director = Curtis Bernhardt
producer = Robert Lord
writer = Screenplay: A.I. Bezzerides Hans Jacoby Story: Joseph Kessel
starring = Humphrey Bogart Märta Torén Lee J. Cobb
music = George Antheil
cinematography = Burnett Guffey
editing = Viola Lawrence
distributor = Columbia Pictures
released = June 1, 1951 (U.K.) June 12, 1951 (U.S.A.)
runtime = 98 minutes
country = United States
language = English
amg_id = 1:44907
imdb_id = 0044040|

"Sirocco" (1951) is a American "film noir" directed by Curtis Bernhardt and written by A.I. Bezzerides and Hans Jacoby, based on the novel "Coup de Grace" written by Joseph Kessel. The drama features Humphrey Bogart, Märta Torén, Lee J. Cobb, among others. [imdb title|id=0044040|title=Sirocco.]

Plot

In 1925, Harry Smith (Bogart) is an amoral American gun runner, selling weapons to the Arabs in Damascus, during the French Mandate of Syria. Smith's latest shipment to rebel leader Emir Hassan (Onslow Stevens) is intercepted by the occupying French, leading General LaSalle (Everett Sloane) to consider executing hostages every time French soldiers are ambushed or blown up by terror bombs. LaSalle's head of intelligence, Colonel Feroud (Lee J. Cobb) presses for negotiations instead. Smith complicates matters for himself by stealing Feroud's mistress Violetta (Märta Torén), who had been eager to get away from the commander.

Feroud coerces Smith into taking him to meet with Hassan, to discuss a peaceful settlement. Respecting Feroud's courage in coming to the rebel hideout alone and unarmed, Hassan agrees to further talks. However, for Smith the outcome is not so profitable; angered that he has revealed their location, the rebels kill him.

Cast

* Humphrey Bogart as Harry Smith
* Märta Torén as Violette
* Lee J. Cobb as Col. Feroud
* Everett Sloane as Gen. LaSalle
* Gerald Mohr as Major Leon
* Zero Mostel as Balukjiaan
* Nick Dennis as Nasir Aboud
* Onslow Stevens as Emir Hassan
* Ludwig Donath as Flophouse proprietor
* David Bond as Achmet
* Vincent Renno as Arthur
* Jeff Corey as Feisal

Critical reception

Film critic Bosley Crowther lambasted the film and wrote, "Except for a few moody moments in a plaster night-club, yclept the Moulin Rouge, and some shadowy shots of sloppy Syrians lying around in dingy catacombs, the scene is no more suggestive of Damascus than a Shriners' convention in New Orleans, on which occasion you would see more fezzes than ever show up in this film. For the most part—indeed, for the sole part—"Sirocco" wafts a torpid tale of a slick, sneering gun-runner proving a painful thorn in a nice French colonel's side." [ [http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9D00E2D7113FE23BBC4C52DFB066838A649EDE&oref=slogin Crowther, Bosley] . "The New York Times," film review, June 14, 1951. Last accessed: January 23, 2008.]

Critic Leonard Maltin gave the film a mixed review, writing, "I’d always read that it was a half-baked attempt to rekindle some of the ingredients that made "Casablanca" such a success, and that’s true. The setting is Damascus in 1926, when the French Army is battling Syrian insurgents..."Sirocco" is strictly formula stuff, but it’s a perfect example of how Hollywood could take ordinary material and still make it entertaining, through sheer professional polish in the writing, staging, art direction, and casting. Zero Mostel, Gerald Mohr, and Nick Dennis head the colorful supporting cast, who perform well under Curtis Bernhardt’s direction." [ [http://leonardmaltin.com/previousPicks/prevPicks.htm#sirocco Maltin, Leonard] . "Leonard Maltin Movie Crazy" film reviews, 2008. Last accessed: January 23, 2008.]

References

External links

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* [http://noiroftheweek.blogspot.com/2005/10/sirocco-1951-10302005.html "Sirocco"] at Film Noir of the Week.