What might we have experienced if the demon drink hadn't taken hold of brilliant English wordsmith Malcolm Lowry? What might his planned epic: 'The Voyage That Never Ends' have yielded to modern literature, had he lived beyond his short 47yrs? Veteran director John Huston's 1984 treatment gives us a chance to examine some of the literary genius (via a good adaption) that the world's been sadly left wanting for more. Under the Volcano is not exactly an easily accessed work in either availability or ease of entering its character's sometimes debauched world - after all, the story follows the final days in the life of an alcoholic. Lowry's writing style could be described as reminiscent of Eugene O'Neil, with touches of Shakespeare, and performances here do it justice.
Set and produced on location in Mexico around their celebration of the Day of the Dead this tends to set us up for the interesting, but tawdry journey in our central character's last few days. The year is 1938, and members of the Synarchrist Union (NRS) are murdering and robbing locals - within the approaching tide of Nazism. This sets off a series of dramatic events leading to conflict involving our protagonist and his wife.
This would be Huston's third last film. Photographed by highly respected cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa (Night of the Iguana '64) with a music score by Alex North (Spartacus'60) There's a creatively designed main title sequence (By Huston's son Danny) that introduces us to the eerie setting - leading the viewer into a challenging watch that might well please serious lovers of art-house cinema. A nicely transferred DVD is available.
Set and produced on location in Mexico around their celebration of the Day of the Dead this tends to set us up for the interesting, but tawdry journey in our central character's last few days. The year is 1938, and members of the Synarchrist Union (NRS) are murdering and robbing locals - within the approaching tide of Nazism. This sets off a series of dramatic events leading to conflict involving our protagonist and his wife.
This would be Huston's third last film. Photographed by highly respected cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa (Night of the Iguana '64) with a music score by Alex North (Spartacus'60) There's a creatively designed main title sequence (By Huston's son Danny) that introduces us to the eerie setting - leading the viewer into a challenging watch that might well please serious lovers of art-house cinema. A nicely transferred DVD is available.