GOLDEN SALAMANDER is an intriguing and moralistic British crime film of 1950 that stars Trevor Howard in a winning performance as the sympathetic lead. He plays a British archaeologist who heads off to Tunisia to retrieve some priceless antiquities discovered in a rich client's cellar. While on the scene, he soon becomes aware of a gun running scheme in the locality and must decide between keeping tight-lipped or revealing what he knows to the authorities. Although this feels like a low budget production at times, it's generally pretty effective. The narrative is lean and clean and the exotic landscapes put to good effect. The story plays out in a way which is both slow and realistic. Herbert Lom is an effective villain, as always, and Anouk leads a certain exotic beauty to the role of the love interest. The climax of the film is an extended chase sequence which works nicely, topping off a generally well-rounded production.
Review of Golden Salamander
