Pros: Parker was beautiful and the cinematography was fantastic
Cons: Heston is still an a s s!
The Bottom Line: Watch it for Parker and the photography only.
Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot. Released in 1953, full of sweeping vistas and grand gowns, this movie is based in the back waters of the Amazon at the turn of the century. Nestled in this teeming fauna is a huge plantation owned by Charlton Heston, a surly man that has shut himself off from the outside world. Why he chooses to do this I dont know but he marries a woman, the beautiful Eleanor Parker, by proxy. His brother, living in New Orleans, stands in for him during the ceremony, then ships the unwitting Parker off to his brother.
I watched the movie 3 times and still did not get the relevance of this marriage. Im not sure why someone as beautiful as Parker would require a marriage arrangement of this nature, or why Heston is even interested in obtaining a wife. Perhaps to continue the family name, he is that type of man, both on and off the screen.
Anyway, off she goes with her fancy dresses and big hats, into the wilds of the Amazon jungle, to meet her new husband who turns out to be a contrite pompous a s s! Faced with living a solitary life in the back woods of this hedonistic village, she accepts her fate but lets Heston know she will not become just another possession on his plantation. So there! (stomping foot!)
Heston is anything but loving, in fact quite insulting. To top it off, Parker lets it slip that she had been previously married. This throws Heston into a tizzy, demanding she return to the States, as he will have no damaged goods on his plantation. Insufferable oaf! Attempting to arrange for her departure, he discovers the man eating ants are on the move from the opposite side of the island. Uh oh!
Demanding she remain secluded until he can combat this force, he attempts to fight off these voracious Hymenoptera Formicidae but to no avail. Parker, however, will not be left behind like some bag of garbage and goes with him on his trek. Heston is falling for the tainted goods, aka Parker, but refuses to let her see this more human side of himself.
sitting on the sidelines
Of course, I have seen better, but the cinematography was fantastic. I was greatly disappointed in the ant attack, except for one little scene involving a man that is supposed to be watching the waterways, there is really no ant-to-man interaction. In fact, the little buggers dont show up until the end of the friggin movie!
Charton Heston possibly wasnt acting in this production, I consider him a pompous a s s anyway. But that is just my take. Eleanor Parker was just beautiful, and a tad bit spunky
good for her!
I dont know, this movie got some pretty high reviews for the quality of the ant thing, but darn it, I just didnt see it! Directed by Byron Haskin.
Recommended:
Yes
Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older
Special Effects: Well at least you can't see the strings
