Crepúsculo Vermelho

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.

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 in Hungary in November 1956, this is the story of a group of foreign nationals who were trying to leave the country at the time of the Uprising.

Once the airport is closed, the titular journey begins on a bus taking them to Austria. As would be obvious, they are stopped on their way which is where they come up against the almost faultless Yul Brynner whose military power as a Red Army Major was marked with loneliness, his internal struggle between right and wrong, his search for the truth and his need to feel emotions for other human beings. He was saddened by the fact that his job had alienated him from his friends and enemies alike and he yearned for social contact.

Robert Morley plays the quintessential stiff upper-lipped Englishman who, no matter how serious the role, manages to maintain an almost light-hearted logical outlook on life while Jason Robards has a stunning movie debut which enforces the reason why he had so many roles throughout his career. Deborah Kerr, as the leading lady, exhibits the grace and femininity we have come to associate with her yet manages to bring over the strength and resolve required for her character.

The film deals with a very tempestuous time in European history but it never ceases to remind us that there is good in all of us and you can never completely judge a book by the cover. Fabulous scriptwriting ensures that for all the seriousness of the subject there can still be great one-liners and comedic instances that add to, rather than detract from the movie. The chemistry in the cat and mouse game between Kerr and Brynner makes you understand why they appeared in more than the one film together.

All in all, a thoroughly engrossing movie which I would definitely watch again. 8/10

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.

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.