Mike, a Hemingway-esque adventure novelist, is spending his days in a self-imposed exile somewhere in Central America. A reporter for Sight Magazine, Katie, has tracked him down in the hope of getting the biggest scoop of her career. Mike falls for Katie. On a flight to Mexico City, their plane crashes near a remote hideaway of Nazi war criminals in hiding. The Nazis want to stay hidden and plan to dispose of their new guests
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To me, this movie is perfection.
Awesome Movie
Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
Exciting and suspenseful reworking of "The Most Dangerous Game" has Richard Widmark as a reclusive Hemingway-like writer living in Mexico and Jane Greer as a magazine reporter trying to find out why he stopped writing. Two find themselves stranded in the jungle after their plane crashes. They happen upon a remote compound with some friendly European gentlemen, except that these gentlemen really aren't so friendly and SPOILER ALERT! are Nazi and Russian war criminals who then want to hunt Widmark and Greer for sport. Tone can be difficult with these human-hunting-human stories, where it can easily become ridiculous (i.e. "Hart Target"), but this film gets it right and I'll credit the smart script co-written by Dudley Nichols, who wrote everything from "Bringing Up Baby" to "Stagecoach." The story moves along at a good clip, with Widmark growing increasingly suspicious of his hosts, and has some solid action and suspense once the hunt begins. FUN FACT: According to IMDB, Richard Widmark thought this was one of his worst films and used to tell his kids that if they didn't behave themselves, they'd have to watch " Run for the Sun".
Run for the Sun (1956)This begins in Mexico, with a charming and warmly photographed encounter between a reclusive Hemingway-like novelist on the outs and a too-beautiful reporting trying to track him down. They have a series of interactions that establish both the man's independence and self-criticism (positive qualities) and the woman's weakening resolve, since she kind of likes the guy and doesn't want to blow his seclusion. He doesn't know what she's up to at first, and she just wants to give up and go home before he discovers her duplicity.But this is just a set-up so that the rest of the movie, the most dangerous game part, where the two are pursued through the jungle for a hour of exhaustion. Richard Widmark makes a convincing writer/adventurist out for himself, drowning in alcohol, and then surviving in the jungle. And surprisingly, Jane Greer, often something of an ornament in movies because she looks so good, is perfectly tough and (later) weary while still playing the female reporter a little out of her league. The two are also given time in the first scenes to develop a genuine understanding for each other, the basis for a growing affection. When thing get dire later and they cling to each other (this is no spoiler, surely), you expect and need it. Ostensibly (and officially, in the opening credits) this second half of the movie is based on the Richard Connell short story, "The Most Dangerous Game," though it's too far removed from the original to count. The core of the story is about a famous hunter becoming the prey to a slightly crazed man who loves to hunt the most dangerous of animals: humans. But this is not a twist of roles, or a matter of wanting to test a man's hunting skills against human prey. This is just about two innocents who learn something they shouldn't and have to run for their lives.Though the Connell story has a creepy originality to it, I rather like this movie more than either of the earlier adaptations (the 1932 "The Most Dangerous Game" and the 1945 "A Game of Death). Both of those are closer to the original, though both take the liberty of adding a woman to the story and the improbably and convenient outline of an unnecessary romance. "Run for the Sun" has morphed into something new, and better, the romance becoming central.Director Ray Boulting, who got his start making documentaries, gives the film a kind of British flavor (Connell was American), making the bad guy a twisted diplomat for Britain who went bad during WWII. The whole scenario in the Mexican jungle feels like that classic situation of a Brit somewhere far from London going native but bringing a little bit of England with him, with tea and good books and indigenous servants. In the end, the events are fairly straight forward, which is its largest flaw. The realistic filming of the chase (most of it is believable, both rugged and unsensational) compensates for the fact that you sort of know the outcome. A clever trick with a bullet near the end is a fun, almost James Bond, innovation. The glue, and the sugar, here is the acting, Widmark above all convincing both in his delivery and for his physical energy. Greer is just fine, though she's given little to do but respond, and get very very tired. It's her clever magnetic notepad holder that gets them in trouble, if you pay attention. The evil Mr. Browne? Played by a very British Trevor Howard to perfection. The filming is first rate, and it's no wonder with Joseph LaShelle behind the camera. He did some classic noirs, but then moved to a decade of terrific wide screen color films, including several with Billy Wilder. Here, the camera-work is really nice, and the color itself is truly striking and clean. Naturally, it's still top notch Technicolor and not one of the Kodak competitors which were still thin by comparison. And it's shot about 50 miles from Mexico City. The hacienda is beyond gorgeous.If you just approach this movie for what it is, a kind of less outrageous "African Queen" without the star power, it's a lot of well made fun. If you come into it expecting another "The Most Dangerous Game," you'll have to make some adjustments quickly.
Movie talks upon a beautiful woman reporter (Jane Greer) , she is looking for an adventurer novelist(Richard Widmark) in a solitary South American location . They fall in love and aboard a plane are crashed on jungle . There find shelter in an inhospitable mansion inhabited by strange people (Trevor Howard and Peter Van Eyck) . The picture gets adventure action , a love story , thriller , exciting pursuits with numerous odds , risks and perils and results to be pretty entertaining . Richard Widmark as the stalwart and brave hero is nice . Enjoyable Jane Greer (Out the past) as a genuinely moving heroine is fine . Secondary cast is excellent with a terrific Trevor Howard and a crafty Peter Van Eyck . The tale was compellingly developed in this second of several versions using Richard Connell's famed novel . It's a remake to ¨The most dangerous game¨(Ernest B.Schoedsack with Joel McCrea and Leslie Banks as count Zaroff), the classic and black and white adaptation was creepier and darkest , this version is glimmer (spectacular cinematography by Joseph LaShelle) and an adventure film . Recent version titled ¨Surviving the game¨(Ernest Dickerson with Ice T and Rutger Hauer) is more violen t. Motion picture was well directed by British director Roy Boulting . The flick will appeal to Richard Widmark fans and adventure cinema-goers . Rating : Good , if you haven't seen it , you don't miss the chance the next time .
I saw "Run For The Sun" with my grandmother who I talked into taking me to the movies. It was Toledo, Ohio, in 1956, and I was eight years of age. I only had a vague idea of what the film was all about, but in those days there was little chance of embarrassing one's grandmother with movie content. This was a great film. Trevor Howard gives a chilling performance. "Run For The Sun" appeared on television numerous times throughout the 60's, and perhaps into the early 70's, but it has been at least 20 years since I last saw the film. Does anyone know how one might get a DVD or VHS copy of this film? Jane Greer was great, as was Richard Widmark and Peter van Eyck. Jane Greer was quite attractive, and the interplay between her and Widmark was fun to watch. In one scene, the details of which I must omit so as not to reveal a central element of the plot, Widmark said, "The boys must have choked on their brandy when they found out who you were." Greer quickly shot back, "The one who really choked was you." A fine, memorable film it was.