Crepúsculo Vermelho

The Hungarian Rebellion of 1956, fostered partly by bellicose rhetoric from the USA about 'rolling back the red tide' started and was left to wither without any support at all from the west, other than taking in refugees. I remember my third grade class taking in one such during the mid year. The satellite countries of Eastern Europe would have to wait until the Soviet Union collapsed for liberation. Then we always did not get what we'd like, for reference look at the former Yugoslavia.

The Journey is a film about a group of foreigners trapped within Hungary and seeking a way out. After being stuck in the Budapest Airport for a few days, the group is informed the Russians will provide transport to the Austrian border by bus. But one of the foreigners, a titled Englishwoman played by Deborah Kerr is traveling with Jason Robards, Jr., who is under an assumed name. Robards is Hungarian, a scientist and a supporter of the revolution.

They are stopped again near the border and detained in Kurt Kaszner's hotel while the Russians check on the passengers. Robards arouses Russian Major Yul Brynner's suspicions, but his hormones are aroused by Deborah Kerr.

Anatole Litvak who was Hungarian when he was handling the politics was on firm ground in The Journey. When he got into the romantic, sad to say he was hearkening back to his days in Hollywood when he directed a lot of romantic schmaltz. Try as I might I could not believe that Yul would be deterred in his duty, his character is a lot like Bounine the man he played in Anastasia, also directed by Litvak.

The characters of the passengers of the travelers is also interesting. Robert Morley was not playing for laughs as he does not do a John Bull type Englishman, but he's caring confidante for Kerr. I did like Anne Jackson, pregnant with two children traveling with her and her husband E.G. Marshall. Anne's character has a practical turn of mind and everyone should have been listening to her. Anouk Aimee is also good as a humorless and resolute Hungarian rebel.

And this review is dedicated to Veronica Laszlo wherever she is, the little girl who joined my third grade class way back in the day, when she fled Hungary. I hope she had a good life in America.

I originally spotted this on TCM, and when I started watching, thought it would be a fairly typical technicolor star-studed vehicle common in hollywood of the 50s and 60s.

It is that, surely, but it's also something better. It's got that poetic, "writers' dialogue" that comes from literature and plays, where the characters expound on life. Often that sort of thing gets clunky and pained, but here it works. Another minor delight -- the detailed direction of how people act, making sure to fill in all the details of how real people behave in common situations, like soldiers serving their booze to their major who intrudes in their barracks revelry, and many others. Or how often the numerous russian soldiers and occupiers speak without translation, because, with the audience in the shoes of the foreign tourists, we wouldn't understand Russian dialogue either.

Yes, it's undeniable -- yul brynner's character of the war-weary russian major with the heart of gold is treated like a necessity, and despite how strongly acted and overacted, it weakens the tone of menacing discomfort of cold war life for foreigners accused of violations against the state. Hence, all the suspected prisoners are treated with kid gloves, even the proven revolutionary played by newcomer jason robards is treated like a gentleman from another mythical era where foreign spies are not abused.

Visually, it's beautiful and bright with no shortage of gray weather common to the Hungary-ish locales of Vienna and nearby Austria.

This movie isn't a classic nor must-see. But it's better than most might suspect, and a fun yet thoughtful spy adventure romp on a cold gray afternoon on the couch. Have a shot of vodka while you watch it, since almost everyone in the movie do. And please try to remember that much of the smirk-worthy dialogue about political events was no laughing matter in 1959.

Whatever the inspiration for this story (the aforementioned Blixen reference is fascinating), as a movie it's maybe the best Cold War drama I've ever seen. Like "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold," "The Journey" transcends its genre. The basic plot is about the personal empathy between men and women, some ordinary, some extraordinary, and how it prevails when confronted by political hostility and cultural dislocation. Nevertheless, this is a tragedy, with a final irony that is completely unexpected.

Set during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, this story has all the suspense of a good cold war book or movie as a multinational group of foreigners attempt to smuggle Jason Robards out of Hungary into Austria. However, three things complement the story, making this an extremely good movie.

First, the actors use the actual languages of their roles. The Russian soldiers speak only Russian; the Hungarians only Hungarian; the Germans only German, except to the minimal extent to tell the story. Since Debra Kerr is English, she speaks only English, and, of course, Yul Brynner and a few others essential to the story also speak heavily accented English. As a result, the empathy of the audience to the travelers becomes paramount. The viewer shares all the confusion and suspense of being involved in an illicit border crossing when he/she cannot understand any of the languages spoken around them. Very powerful feelings are aroused in the audience, and notwithstanding the heavy use of foreign languages, the audience is never at a loss for following the film. No subtitles are necessary.

Second. I was in Hungary in 1995, and I'm telling you, this movie has it right on. From the gypsy music overpowering the dinner meal to the underground caverns in the buildings where much of the action takes place to the village scenes, the realism is incredible. If I didn't eat in the actual restaurant in the movie, I ate at its double. I thought that I actually walked down the main street in that village. (Actually, the film was shot in Austria).

Third, and most important, this movie reunites Deberah Kerr and Yul Brynner (after The King and I) and the magnetism between them as the story unfolds is nothing short of Oscar qualified. Of course, Yul already received an Oscar for playing that relationship, so the Acadamy wasn't going to give him another one, but that is the quality of the film. Don't miss this one.

This Film has such a Following! yet you cant buy it on DVD!

The Journey, is so engaging, that I can watch it again and again. The Russian Folk Songs, Fantastic! and Yul singing!

The Gypsy music, the intrigue.

The shear magnetism of the Magnificent YUL who comes across with an array of emotions.Powerful, proud, vulnerable against the gracious, serene Deborah Kerr. This film is even on view on youtube, its that potent. I just wish some one could tell me the name of those Russian folk songs! Especially the drinking ones.And I wish there was a recording of Yul singing them..(but thats asking a bit too much isn't it!)

So I emailed TCM Turner Movies on tcmmailuk@turner.com and asked them why they hadnt released it on DVD, Im awaiting an answer. They are mad, because lots of us would love a copy for a present wouldn't we?

Cheers.