At the outset, you assume the producers of this film were insane. After all, they cast Brigitte Bardot and Stephen Boyd in a film set in Spain. So why have the VERY French Bardot?! Why dub Boyd and have an actor that just doesn't look Spanish?! This is clearly a case where the producers had actors and they were going to force them into a script no matter how ridiculous it was.
As for the plot, it isn't much better. Bardot plays a nymphet who has been raised in a convent (despite being VERY sexy and the most un-convent like woman in film history) and comes to live with her guardians--a rich uncle and aunt. In this small town, the uncle is all-powerful--and apparently had abused this position by forcing himself on women. First, his advances resulted in the death of Boyd's sister, then he puts the moves on his niece. As for the niece (Bardot), she is a rather vacuous lady who meets Boyd and INSTANTLY falls in love with him--a bad cliché to say the least. Later, when Boyd kills the uncle, she abandons everything and runs off with him. Now, she is wanted by the police as well--all because of 'love at first sight'--good grief. And, at the 80 minute mark comes a scene that, frankly, made my brain hurt, as Bardot goes bananas and then the two make out like sex-crazed weasels. Wow. You just have to see it.
If you completely ignore the plot and casting of actors, the film IS lovely to see. The color cinematography is very nice as is the setting. So, if you can ignore the problems, at least the film looks nice and is a diversion--and nothing more. This is NOT among Bardot's best films--nor is it even among the best looking (that would be "Contempt"). But, if you are a fan of her work or just have to see the dimpled and jug-eared Boyd play a Spaniard, then this film is for you!
For a movie with such a nice budget, scenery and stars, it should have been a lot better.
As for the plot, it isn't much better. Bardot plays a nymphet who has been raised in a convent (despite being VERY sexy and the most un-convent like woman in film history) and comes to live with her guardians--a rich uncle and aunt. In this small town, the uncle is all-powerful--and apparently had abused this position by forcing himself on women. First, his advances resulted in the death of Boyd's sister, then he puts the moves on his niece. As for the niece (Bardot), she is a rather vacuous lady who meets Boyd and INSTANTLY falls in love with him--a bad cliché to say the least. Later, when Boyd kills the uncle, she abandons everything and runs off with him. Now, she is wanted by the police as well--all because of 'love at first sight'--good grief. And, at the 80 minute mark comes a scene that, frankly, made my brain hurt, as Bardot goes bananas and then the two make out like sex-crazed weasels. Wow. You just have to see it.
If you completely ignore the plot and casting of actors, the film IS lovely to see. The color cinematography is very nice as is the setting. So, if you can ignore the problems, at least the film looks nice and is a diversion--and nothing more. This is NOT among Bardot's best films--nor is it even among the best looking (that would be "Contempt"). But, if you are a fan of her work or just have to see the dimpled and jug-eared Boyd play a Spaniard, then this film is for you!
For a movie with such a nice budget, scenery and stars, it should have been a lot better.