A week after viewing this odd little film, its impressions linger.
I enjoyed my first excursion into the obscure world of sponge fishing. The photography here dazzles, be it of underwater canyons of reef and reed, or sunsets over the West Florida coast.
Here we meet Robert Wagner in his first starring role -- as impetuous Tony, a wasp-waisted teen itching to prove his manhood, and a swain in the throes of first love. It's an impressive debut.
Supposedly this story has a grain of truth. There really is a large community of Greek seamen in the Tarpon Springs area of Florida. The cultural and religious rites that we observe -- i.e., bare-chested boys competing for a cross that a prelate has tossed into the bay -- indeed are quaint. I wouldn't be surprised if these ceremonies survive.
However, the conch-vs.-Greek dynamic is derivative -- "West Side Story" without the great tunes? -- and for me, it got old. What sense does it make for Tony to pursue Gwyneth (Terry Moore), when her father's crew has just robbed him blind? And Gwynnie laughs about it.
Still, the swarthy Mexican actor Gilbert Roland does particularly well here as Tony's dad, a man as deft with his fists as his group psychology. I admired the way he confronted the thieves: "This time you win, next time we win. What's the difference, eh?" A lesson in creative conflict resolution for us all! But for such a savvy man of the sea to die in the way we does cheapens this production. The audience gets its sop, but at a price.
Despite its flaws, this movie is worth a dive. Bring goggles!
I enjoyed my first excursion into the obscure world of sponge fishing. The photography here dazzles, be it of underwater canyons of reef and reed, or sunsets over the West Florida coast.
Here we meet Robert Wagner in his first starring role -- as impetuous Tony, a wasp-waisted teen itching to prove his manhood, and a swain in the throes of first love. It's an impressive debut.
Supposedly this story has a grain of truth. There really is a large community of Greek seamen in the Tarpon Springs area of Florida. The cultural and religious rites that we observe -- i.e., bare-chested boys competing for a cross that a prelate has tossed into the bay -- indeed are quaint. I wouldn't be surprised if these ceremonies survive.
However, the conch-vs.-Greek dynamic is derivative -- "West Side Story" without the great tunes? -- and for me, it got old. What sense does it make for Tony to pursue Gwyneth (Terry Moore), when her father's crew has just robbed him blind? And Gwynnie laughs about it.
Still, the swarthy Mexican actor Gilbert Roland does particularly well here as Tony's dad, a man as deft with his fists as his group psychology. I admired the way he confronted the thieves: "This time you win, next time we win. What's the difference, eh?" A lesson in creative conflict resolution for us all! But for such a savvy man of the sea to die in the way we does cheapens this production. The audience gets its sop, but at a price.
Despite its flaws, this movie is worth a dive. Bring goggles!