When a shipping magnate called Richard Norton : Gerard Landry goes bankrupt, suddenly disappearing his fortune in the stock exchange , is offered by a strange figure who results to be Mephistoles himself : Julian Ugarte , a special deal to recoup his losses if he affords an unfortunate fisherman to fall to his death. The wealthy entrepreneur agrees, but he finds himself haunted by his ominous action and ends up meeting with dead's wife Estela: Amparo Soler Leal, with with he falls in love, her sibling Carmen : Lucia Prado and her husband Luis : Lombardo.
This a a fantasy drama, concerning a bizarre
agreement , but it is more a dramatic movie than a supernatural story. Based on a novel prestigious Alejandro Casona, that at the same time is inspired on the tale El Mandarin adapted by other important writers as Rousseau. Stars the French Gerard Landry gives a too much serious acting as the magnate who loses his fortune at the stock market, subsequently dealing with a weird bargain resulting in fateful consequences. Along with Mabel Karr -who married Fernando Rey- as his lover, Amparo Soler Leal as the widow damsel in distress, Lucia Prado as her sister , among others. Special mention for Julian Ugarte as the suspect and cunning devil with dark purports, in spite of his sparingy acting at the beginning and end of the movie. There are various versions based on the novel written by Alejandro Casona, a previous Argentina rendition directed by Mario Soffici and TV retelling : Studio 1 played by Luis Prendes, Julia Gutierrez Caba.
It displays an atmospheric musical score by Sainz dela Maza. As well as evocative cinematography in black and white by Jaume de Casas, shot on location in the Catalan coast. Although a perfect remastering being really necessary because of the film copy is washed-out. The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Jose Maria Forn. This Catalan, Spanish director is a craftsman who has witten/produced/directed a large number of movies. Being his first film : Yo Mate . Following La Piel Quemada, Los Culpables, La Rana Verde, Muerte al Amanecer, ? Pena de Muerte?, Subjudice, among others. And directing biographical movies as Jose Maria, Coronel Macia, Companys proceso a Cataluña. Rating : 6/10, passable and acceptable. The flick will appeal to Spanish cinema enthusiasts.
