Flucht nach Burma

Escape to Burma is just one of a series of adventure features starring the estimable Barbara Stanwyck. However, where this film stands out above many of her other pictures from this period is that the supporting cast can actually act.

In fact, the male actors Robert Ryan and David Farrar, are so good in their roles as outlaw and law enforcer that they almost overshadow the matriarch Stanwyck herself. Almost.

Escape to Burma is standard Hollywood fare, but entertaining nevertheless; ideal for a rainy day. There are much worse ways to spend 85 minutes.

it must have been quite impressive for it's time - Color film, old-time film noir star B. Stanwyck and film military hero Robert Ryan were the big attractions in this far-away-location B movie; one of the 2-movie pack in the discount bin from TCM. it DOES have crystal-clear color photography andexcellent sound. Lots of messing about with elephants and tigers, and actors reciting monotone lines; the script needed some more zing or something - not much of a plot in the first half, but it gets better as it goes along. This was made about 10 years before Stanwyck's starring role in "Big Valley". Robert Ryan redeemed himself by doing "Longest Day" and "Battle of the Bulge" after this. Directed by Allan Dwan, who had started in 1911 in silents, and had worked his way up in every occupation in the film industry.

In Escape To Burma no time is referenced in the story. Knowing that Burma declared its independence from Great Britain in 1948 and in 1945 for the first half of the year they were in the middle of World War II being fought the actions here would seem to take place in the years before the war. That would seem to be the only explanation for the total lack of any reference to the reality of what was going in Burma, it wasn't the political landscape of the country as it was in 1955 the year the film came out.

Barbara Stanwyck is the owner of a teak plantation and she gets a pair of gentlemen callers. The first is Robert Ryan fleeing from a charge of murder of the son of the local maharajah. The second is David Farrar the British policeman sent by provincial governor Reginald Denny after him.

There's also the maharajah's own forces and they're not about to wait for justice British style. They've got their own nasty methods to deal with assassins even if they were business partners with the prince.

Escape To Burma is an interesting if rather pedestrian action/adventure film. Ryan is the best here. Given the kind of roles he's played and the ambiguous nature of his character we never know how this will turn out. In fact the story of the killing of the prince is something of a let down.

But fans of the stars should be happy.

"Escape to Burma" stars Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Ryan...but exceptional actors. Sadly, however, the material is just okay...and the setting really didn't work.

The story is, naturally, set in Burma (nowadays, called Myanmar). The prince has died and his father is livid and swears to kill the person responsible. Soon after this, Jim (Ryan) arrives at a plantation owned by Gwen (Stanwyck) and she almost immediately seems smitten by him. He's also very helpful and she soon makes him her new foreman. However, soon a government official shows up...announcing that Jim is wanted for the Prince's murder. Jim, of course, insists he didn't do it and Gwen helps him escape. What's next? See the film.

The story is okay. But the big reason I wasn't thrilled with the movie is that all the 'Burmese' people look about as Burmese as Keye Luke or Mantan Moreland! Most of them were just extras with body paint to make them look 'exotic'! Additionally, little detail was given to the little things...such as a chimp (an African animal) and other non-Asian animals. Overall, a film that seems to have a very naive view of Burma, an okay script and very good acting.

From an objective film perspective, this is a good piece of moviemaking from several different angles.

Directed by the legendary Allan Dwan who was a master of silent film and continued directing through the 50s.

Firstly, it is a visually striking work of technicolor, the cinematographer John Alton (An American in Paris) does some really great work here. The Burmese castle scenes, wildlife and outdoor scenes, costumes, sets and art direction are all top-notch.

As a big fan of Stanwyck, this movie is monumental as it is not only one of her last film roles, but one of the few movies she ever appeared in color, showing her red hair. She gives one of her most sensitive portrayals here while also displaying her usual tough girl image.

A lot to like here, the action is good and steady, the only two problems are the hard-to-follow storyline and the ending.

All in all, I think this is a near-great film.