646f9e108c In 1802, during Haiti&#39;s struggle for independence from Napoleonic France, an American lawyer seeks a client&#39;s daughter living on the revolution-torn island. A young Boston lawyer, Albron Hamlin, goes to Haiti in 1802 to find Lydia Bailey, whose estate he must settle. The island is war-torn in the strife between Toussaing L&#39;Overture, the black president, and the French who are trying to retake possession of the country. Hamlin finds Lydia and, against the background of war and rebellion, they fall in love while helping the Haitians against the French. A young American advocate at law called Hamlin : Dale Robertson goes to island Haiti 1802 to meet Lydia Bailey : Anne Francis in order to settle her inheritance . Meanwhile , there takes place a revolution led by the ex-slave Francois Toussain Loverture , the new black leader who abolished the cruel slavery , and subsequently the poweful king Jacobo I of Haiti . Later on , the French navy commanded by General Leclerc disembarks on the island along with his wife Paulina Bonaparte , Napoleon&#39;s sister . While the Boston lawyer supported by a tough rebel called king Dick : William Marshall attempting to help the Haitians against the invading French .<br/><br/>This is a historical drama about Haiti&#39;s struggles for independence from Napoleonic France with a loving triangle , passion , emotion , escapes , jungle pursuits , battles and voodoo dancing . The picture based on the novel with the same title written by Kenneth Roberts has an interesting historical background about Haiti independence ,the Caribbean island is war-torn in the strife between the Haitians and the French , including historic rolesthe notorious leader Toussian , Paulina Bonaparte and his husband General Lecrerc who attempted to retake possesion of the country . It stars Dale Robertsonthe lawyer who looks for the client&#39;s daughter living on the revolution-torn Haiti and with whom falls in love , she is the gorgeous Anne Francis , unforgettable in Forbidden Planet . Support cast is pretty good suchCharles Korwin , William Marshall , and brief appearances from Robert Evans , Roy GlennMirabaeau and Juanita Moore .<br/><br/>Colorful cinematography in Technicolor by Harry Jackson , shot in Calabasas , California and Ranch Twentieth Century Fox . Evocative production design and art direction from Lyle Wheeler , Paul Fox and Thomas Little , adding excessive matte painting . Thrillingwellemotive musical score by the classy composer Hugo Friedhofer .The motion picture was well directed by Jean Negulesco . He was a filmmaker of both popular , polished entertainments ,wellcritically acclaimed and he directed all kinds of genres with penchant for musical , drama and comedy . As he realized various dramatic films in the 1940s and 1950s . He helmed a realist war drama : Three came home with Claudette Colbert , a WWII film: The conspirators with Hedy Lamar , Paul Henreid , and made his version of sinking Titanic 1953 with Barbara Stanwick and the hit : Johnny Belinda .Subsequently , he directed : Humoresque , Road house and a remake : The rains of Ranchipur with Richard Burton and Lana Turner , the comedy : How to marry with a millionaire with Marilyn Monroe , Betty Grable ; the colorful movie : Boy on a dolphin with Sophia Loren , Alan Ladd and the musical movies : Daddy long legs 1955 with Fred Astaire and Three coins in the fountain ; furthermore , a Bette Davis vehicle : Phone call from a stranger . His last and unknown films were dramedyThe pleasure seekers, The invincible sex and Hello goodbye . Being his most successful and prestigious movie : Mask of Dimitrios with Peter Lorre . There have been a lot of good movies based on classics or semiclassics that for one reason or another have slipped through the cracks and have not had legs. This excellent film based on the Kenneth Roberts novel about the revolution in Haiti is such a case. Fine cast with Dale Robertson playing the lead and Ann Francis playing the title role. French character actor Charles Korvin, kind of a poor man&#39;s Charles Boyer complete with cleft in chin, and the African-American actor, William Marshall add to the action. It&#39;s a fine film full of intrigue, action and color. Robertson is dashing, Francis is charming, Korvin is scheming and Marshall, well, is a ham (he always was: viz, his rolethe ego-driven computer genius on one of the old Star Trek episodes). The story is about American colonials who are caught up in Haiti&#39;s dash for independence from France. It&#39;s too bad we can watch inane reruns of I Love Lucy on video and can&#39;t see this fine little film about an interesting time in Haiti&#39;s history. Robert&#39;s novel is fiction but well researched for local accuracy, the Marshall&#39;s King Dick character is loosely based on real characters…as was McNeil&#39;s Emperor Jones. So, if this film does show up on the late show, check it out. You&#39;ll be pleased. I remember seeing it high school after having read the novel and a history of Haiti and the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispanola.
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