Jimmy Stewart was directed by Anthony Mann in many wonderful Westerns--all made in the 1950s. They are classics--every one of them--ranging from WINCHESTER '73 to THE FAR COUNTRY to THE MAN FROM LARAMIE. However, they also made one non-Western together and this is that film. Considering the track record, I certainly expected so much more from this film. Instead of the usual high-caliber work, this film was amazingly flat and uninspiring despite having a very original story. I guess you can't win 'em all!
Oddly, the film begins with Stewart and Dan Duryea as pals who are out to make a deal on an offshore oil rig. I say this is odd because usually, Duryea plays bad guys and NEVER buddies of the leading man. However, in this film he is a basically good guy--though he does have a hint of larceny about him! The oil rig is at first welcomed by the local shrimp boat operators. However, when they find that the oil company is using dynamite to help them detect oil deposits, they are afraid of losing their livelihoods and violently oppose the drilling. It is actually an interesting look at the 1950s, as Stewart is portrayed as the good guy and the dynamiting is explained away very glibly--saying it won't cause any lasting harm to the environment! As an avid fisherman, I didn't buy this explanation--nor did the shrimpers. But, the damage had already been done and the location for the well was determined quickly before the boat owners could do anything to stop this. The rest of the film follows the up and down relationship between the two factions until ultimately everyone is happy and the film ends--especially when they discover that the oil platforms are great attractants for sea life.
The problem with all this is that while this might be modestly interesting from a historical sense, none of this seems compelling enough for a film. Plus, some of the characters in the film seem a bit stupid and tough to believe--apart from Duryea and Stewart. The film just seemed to lack energy or lasting appeal, though it was mildly diverting enough to merit a 6.
Oddly, the film begins with Stewart and Dan Duryea as pals who are out to make a deal on an offshore oil rig. I say this is odd because usually, Duryea plays bad guys and NEVER buddies of the leading man. However, in this film he is a basically good guy--though he does have a hint of larceny about him! The oil rig is at first welcomed by the local shrimp boat operators. However, when they find that the oil company is using dynamite to help them detect oil deposits, they are afraid of losing their livelihoods and violently oppose the drilling. It is actually an interesting look at the 1950s, as Stewart is portrayed as the good guy and the dynamiting is explained away very glibly--saying it won't cause any lasting harm to the environment! As an avid fisherman, I didn't buy this explanation--nor did the shrimpers. But, the damage had already been done and the location for the well was determined quickly before the boat owners could do anything to stop this. The rest of the film follows the up and down relationship between the two factions until ultimately everyone is happy and the film ends--especially when they discover that the oil platforms are great attractants for sea life.
The problem with all this is that while this might be modestly interesting from a historical sense, none of this seems compelling enough for a film. Plus, some of the characters in the film seem a bit stupid and tough to believe--apart from Duryea and Stewart. The film just seemed to lack energy or lasting appeal, though it was mildly diverting enough to merit a 6.