It was very interesting to read that French director Jean Renoir (Boudo Saved from Drowning, La Grande Illusion, La Règle Du Jeu (The Rules of the Game)) made this film in the English language, he planned to make a French version but had no money to do it, so this the original that all the critics praise. Basically set in 18th Century, in a small Central American town in Peru, a travelling Commedia dell'Arte theatre company arrives to entertain the people and the high society aristocracy. The chief aristocrat of the town is the Viceroy (Duncan Lamont), who has recently bought a fabulous golden coach from Europe to give to his mistress. But this plan changes when he gets to to know the leading lady and actress of the troupe, Camilla (Anna Magnani), he falls in love with her and gives the coach to her instead, and she starts to become accustomed to the high life. She is however also loved by the troupe leader and the local toreador (bullfighter), and the situation becomes a problem for the Viceroy who has his minsters shocked with his reckless extravagance and plan to get rid of him. In the end Camilla solves the situation by donating the coach the Bishop of Lima, and she returns to the theatre troupe and there is a big celebration for their preponderance. Also starring Odoardo Spadaro as Don Antonio, Nada Fiorelli as Isabella, Dante Rino as Harlequin, George Higgins as Martinez, Ralph Truman as Duke, Gisella Mathews as Marquise Irene Altamirano, Raf De La Torre as Chief Justice, Elena Altieri as Duchess Paul Campbell as Felipe and Riccardo Rioli as Bullfighter. It was handy that I did not have to read any subtitles through the film, the cast were all fine, especially Magnani who was radiant as the performer turned unlikely high class socialite of sorts, the story was just about simple enough that I could pay attention to the right parts, the costumes and use of colour is lavish, it feels like a play on stage, I'm sure that was the point, a likable period drama. Very good!
Review of The Golden Coach
