A Prize of Gold

Richard Widmark wants "A Prize of Gold" in this 1955 film that also stars Mai Zetterling and Nigel Patrick. Widmark plays American soldier Joe Lawrence, who is stationed in Berlin post-World War II. Joe is usually in some sort of trouble, but he has a marital indiscretion that he can hold over his commanding officer's head so that he looks the other way. Joe falls in love with Maria, a teacher in an orphanage (Zetterling). In order to get money to move the orphanage to Brazil, Maria has been cozying up to a wealthy benefactor. Jealous, Joe interferes and fights with the man, blowing the opportunity for Maria and the orphans sky-high. He promises Maria he will make it all right and therefore agrees to take part in a robbery of gold bullion that is to be transported. Things don't go as planned.

This is an okay movie, memorable because when Lucille Ball hid in Widmark's house during an "I Love Lucy" episode, this is the film he was promoting. It's not terribly impressive except for the Berlin locations. The film is shot in somewhat muted color. Mai Zetterling is very good; she was an actress with a wide range. Widmark does well in this roguish part, and Nigel Patrick turns in a strong performance as a sneaky accomplice.

Pretty run of the mill.

A PRIZE OF GOLD is a typical British thriller/adventure of the 1950s, featuring imported Hollywood heavyweight Richard Widmark - one of the better stars of his era. It's set in occupied Germany, where Mai Zetterling is leading a troupe of orphaned kids in a bid to make a better world, but all of this gets sort of jettisoned about half an hour in when this becomes a men on a mission movie. Widmark has to assemble a team to steal a gold shipment, and the crime plays out in the last half an hour. Screen favourites like Eric Pohlmann, George Cole and Nigel Patrick prop up the cast, and although this film isn't very well known, it's quite enjoyable.

This was part of Watwick deal with Columbis,where they made made films in the UK with an American star,normally in colour.This was one of their lesser films.There is a good cast,but sadly the film misfires.Part of the problem was the necessity to provide a happy ending.This requires some twists of the plot which are totally unbelievable.

Strong points of this film are scenes of Berlin, still showing signs of the war, and glimpses of London back streets in the mid-1950s, plus a strong cast, with Widmark, Patrick and Wolfit having the most striking screen presences.

APOG started off slowly, then became more interesting as the plot to steal the gold developed. But the last 30 minutes or so saw some implausibilities, not least in the actions of a couple of the characters, their changes of heart and the coincidental meeting right at the end.

This Mark Robson's film produced in England is more European than American. Only Widmark brings the US touch. This is not a bad film though, just common, without any more ambition to entertain and bring something unusual. I can't say any harm about it, but nothing exciting either. What can I say? In terms of heist film, there were dozens of this kind better than this one, for instance THE DAY THEY ROBBED THE BANK OF ENGLAND, directed by John Guillermin and also starring an American actor - Aldo Ray - for this British film too. Both films, however, show some similarities. Same kind of ending for instance.