By Robin E. Simmons
NOW SHOWING
ARCTIC
In Joe Penna’s stark, minimalist and beautifully photographed lone survival story, Mads Mikkelsen is a pilot stranded in the Arctic who may be about to receive his long awaited rescue. But when the helicopter that finds him crashes, the pilot is killed and the passenger severely injured. He then must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his camp or to embark on a deadly trek through unknown territory for potential salvation.
This story of self-reliance and survival is told with such austerity and integrity the results are absolutely breathtaking, even in the quieter moments when the movie seems to move at a glacial pace.
Visually striking and brilliantly crafted, this film is a potent reminder of the power of images without dialogue. Mikkelsen generates sympathy acting mostly by himself finding hope amid terrifying circumstances.
If hard-core survival stories are your cup-of-tea, don’t miss this instant classic. You will not be disappointed. But be warned, it’s not for the faint-hearted.
Strong recommendation.
NEW BLU FOR THE HOME THEATER:
UNTAMED (1955)
Widely touted as a kind of South African Gone with the Wind, 1955’s mammoth-scaled romantic action epic tells the story of Irish immigrant Katie (Susan Hayward, Nixon’s favorite actress) and Boer Cavalry commander Paul van Ribeck (Tyrone Power in his final film); their romance begins in Ireland and faces trials and dangerous escapades in an agitated South Africa.
Richard Egan, Agnes Moorhead and Rita Moreno also star in this mostly forgotten action adventure directed by veteran Henry King, shot on location in Ireland and South Africa by Leo Tover, and featuring a spectacular score by the great Franz Waxman.
Director King expertly uses the wide CinemaScope canvas to capture the miles-long wagon train stretching over the African terrain as well as the eye-popping enormity of two Zulu attacks.
Check out this engaging romance with cool Zulu action in a new 4K restoration transfer. Twilight Time Movies.
SATAN NEVER SLEEPS (1962)
From three-time Academy Award © winning director Leo McCarey comes a rarely seen and strangely compelling Pearl S. Buck story (adapted by McCarey and Claude Binyon) set during Mao’s 1949 Chinese Communist Revolution.
William Holden and Clifton Webb are a pair of priests struggling to maintain a mission post in a hostile climate. Complicating matters is the presence of a lovely young girl (France Nuyen) unfortunately in love with Holden’s Father O’Banion.
A major theme is the Christian notion of forgiveness and redemption extended to even the most repulsive and repellant characters – a subject that McCarey was personally drawn to.
The evocative score by Richard Rodney Bennett is a perfect match for the superb images captured by the gifted Oswald Morris.
This was the final film of both co-writer/director McCarey and iconic co-star Clifton Webb. The sparkling 4K restoration transfer is from Twilight Time Movies. The edition is limited to only 3,000 units. Once they are gone, that’s it. For more info, go to: www.screenarchives.com
