Unexpectedly fine historical adventure about the Spanish conquest of Mexico has real sweep to it. Not a swashbuckler, in spite of the title, which may explain Henry King’s vigorous helming. Always a bit stiff on the light fantastic, King saves his full attention for serious intent (even if fictionalized) & something thoughtful to chew on. Writer/producer Lamar Trotti gives two films in one here: first a 16th Century Spanish Inquisition tale of injustice with Tyrone Power & his Spanish grandee family under threat; then an impulsive jump to the New World with hopes of fortune & vindication soldiering for Hernando Cortez & his army of conquerors. The first half is particularly satisfying, solidly constructed and exciting. And if Barbara Lawrence makes little mark as Power’s intended*, a reined in Lee J. Cobb & debuting Jean Peters do very well. (That is, if you can accept Peters as a Spanish servant girl.) The second part is less tightly bound, but what a load of interesting history. (And not crazy off the mark as these things go; though medically, what a resilient bunch they prove to be!) The scale of production is pretty phenomenal, thousands of Mexican locals, dozens of Mexican locations; and a great large-scaled perf from Cesar Romero as Cortez, probably the most intriguing (read least vile) of the New World colonizers. Beautifully served on DVD, the TechniColor effects, especially in Mexico under glowering skies, are both handsome & sophisticated. So too the fine Alfred Newman score.* All told, one of the best of its kind, and holding up better than might be expected.
ATTENTION MUST BE PAID: *The Newman score was released on three double-sided 10” 78rpm discs by Mercury. A rare event at the time, this was not a true soundtrack, but six specially arranged cues conducted by Newman & the Fox orchestra. (My copy still sounds pretty damn good.)
SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY: As the fiancée’s father, quite the fair-weather Marquis when a desperate Power asks for assistance, George Zucco sounds uncannily like Sir Ralph Richardson.
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