La ciudad sumergida

CITY BENEATH THE SEA lacks the complexity of Budd Boetticher's "best" work (his later "Ranown" westerns, the earlier THE BULLFIGHTER AND THE LADY), but it's highly sweet-smelling trash, with great wise guy performances by Robert Ryan and Anthony Quinn. Filled with almost as many double entendres as the most eyebrow-raising Sam Fuller works of the same period, it succeeds as pure entertainment even if you don't care a whit about the so-called plot (a race to discover sunken treasure amidst voodoo spells, wild dames and Technicolor Jamaican scenery). Good supporting performances by Mala Powers and Karel Stepanek, crackling dialogue and bizarre underwater scenes (part matte, part miniature, part studio tank). Don't expect RIDE LONESOME or SEVEN MEN FROM NOW and you'll find plenty to enjoy.

There's a certain class of film, it seems above all among those hailing from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, that any well-rounded viewer will surely recognize. They're not bad, and in fact are mildly enjoyable, but are definitely nothing special, and one can usually "watch" without especial active engagement. Such films may be overly casual about exposition, and plot development generally (including in the direction, and subsequently the acting), to the point that some information is imparted so indifferently or outright poorly that it's easy to miss - but it doesn't particularly matter anyway, because the storytelling is on the lighter and less robust side of things. In case it's not already clear, 'City beneath the sea' counts among such films. As one expects we also get some ham-handedness, intended humor that may or may not elicit a real reaction, tiresomely old-fashioned dynamics between men and women, and variable levels of quality. I admire Charles P. Boyle's smart cinematography, for example, including the underwater sequences; in contrast, the sound design is imbalanced and unreliable. The cabaret sequence where we first meet Venita is fun and well done, and Suzan Ball makes a stunning first impression; on the other hand, part of why this scene stands out is because meaningful care and energy was put into it, whereas many other scenes are handled so blithely, often with a happy-go-lucky frivolousness and frivolity, that ensure they come and go as unremarkably as that one square foot of sidewalk you walked over that one day. Don't remember any patch of sidewalk? Yes, that's the point.

The sets are pretty terrific, and the costume design, hair, and makeup are easy on the eyes. Those stunts and effects that are employed are rather splendid. While Ball makes a great first impression, and there are some noteworthy names and faces starring alongside her, the cast don't necessarily stand out otherwise. In addition to meek treatment of the material the picture also struggles with pacing, not least in scenes that take place underwater (remember the dull climax of 'Thunderball?'). There are some swell ideas here, both in terms of scenes and the overall narrative; incidentally, it seems to me that some of the best writing is reserved for moments that include Ball. But too often the plot development, sequencing, and storytelling at large feel scattered, and less than fully committed or convincing. Why, it almost comes across that no one involved was specifically interested in the movie they were making. I don't mean that no effort was made, because that's not true, and there are some definite sparks in the acting. Those sparks are erratic and irregular, however, and no matter how well done the various bits and bobs are, there's a considerable lack of vitality in the feature as a whole. What traits 'City beneath the sea' carries with it at its best - attentiveness, energy, discernible skill and intelligence - needed to be more present and consistent throughout the entire length, in every regard. Had they been, the title would be remembered as more than a footnote in the careers of those who participated in its creation, and one of the few credits to Ball's name. In fairness, the climax is well done, and that quality carries through to the end.

I do like this, but it's something to watch on a quiet, lazy day, and nothing that one needs to go out of their way to see. Moreover, it's recommended most for those who are diehard fans of those on hand; for general audiences, take it or leave it. Granted, not every film needs to be a revelation, and it's enough for some to be gently entertaining. And that's kind of true here. Would that it weren't also so easy to see how the end result might have been improved. 'City beneath the sea' is passably decent if you happen to come across it, and maybe we should just leave it at that.

City Beneath the Sea came on BBC2 one Saturday afternoon some years ago and I was pleased I taped it. This has never been released on video so I was glad I kept this TV copy.

Two divers come to Jamaca to recover some gold on a sunken ship off the coast. One evening, they visit a club and meet two girls and both subsequently fall in love with them. Rivalry then breaks out between the two men over who will keep the gold when retrieved. The ship sunk near the ruins of an underwater city (not Atlantis) and the locals are against the men recovering the gold because the city is one of their tabu's. Not surprisingly, danger looms when the city collapses as a result of an undersea earthquake, trapping one of the divers. He is rescued by his mate and neither of them get the gold in the end.

Despite being a bow budget movie, the underwater scenes in City Beneath the Sea are not that bad.

The cast includes Robert Ryan and Anthony Quinn as the divers and Mala Powers and Susan Ball as the love interests. This also stars George Mathews and Woody Strode.

Watching this movie is a good way to spend just under 90 minutes one afternoon or evening. Very enjoyable.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

I noticed another reviewer gave this one a score of 1. I do not understand this. While few would consider "City Beneath the Sea" a great film, it certainly is a modestly enjoyable one.

Two deep sea divers, Brad (Robert Ryan) and Tony (Anthony Quinn), arrive in Jamaica dive for the Fornby Company. Apparently, one of their ships sank and it was filled with gold...so no wonder they'd employ a could divers to look for it. However, they don't know that the rep from the company is a crook...and he has a nasty partner. Their plan is to send Brad and Tony to the wrong area...and return later themselves to get the gold. Not surprisingly, this is very dangerous stuff.

While the dives were undoubtedly filmed in a pool at the Universal lot, the diving scenes looked pretty good and there were no goofy sea monsters or giant squids or octopi (like in "Reap the Wild Wind"). Additionally, while the story is light and not especially memorable, it is a decent time-passer. Not a perfect or excellent film by any standard, it still is reasonably entertaining and worth a look.

Universal-International studios. Two tough American buddies (Robert Ryan, Anthony Quinn). Sunken treasure off the Caribbean. Plots about scuttled ships and sunken gold. A thuggish sea-captain. Giant squids. A set-piece bar-room brawl. Even voodoo drums. Tacky colour. You can almost picture the lurid cover of the 10-cent paperback novel the film was based on. All that's lacking is a real femme fatale.

Bud Boetticher was a cult director in the Don Siegel/Sam Fuller vein, later acclaimed for the series of sparse but superb western quickies he made in the late 1950s with actor Randolph Scott (Ride Lonesome, The Tall T, Westbound, etc).

Irresistible and well made.