Mare Nostrum

Mare Nostrum (1926)

*** (out of 4)

Lavish MGM production takes a rather routine screenplay and turns it into something rather unique. Seaman Ulysses Ferragut (Antonio Moreno) falls for a woman (Alice Terry) who turns out to be a German spy and their relationship leads to one disaster after another. That's pretty much all you need to know in terms of story because there's no question that the main reason to check this out is the visual style. Even though the story is pretty routine, director Ingram at least pumps plenty of style and gives us some terrific visuals along the way. The film has our Captain being fixated on the sea goddess Amphitrite and this is the reason he ends up falling for the spy as the two look quite a bit alike. This obsession was one of the most interesting things about the screenplay and I must admit that I was pulled in by the "old ways" involving the mysterious of the sea and the various folk tales that are brought into the film. One of the best moments happens at the very start of the film when we see some items at the bottom of the sea. This certainly isn't anything we haven't seen in earlier films but Ingram shows it in such a striking way that it's very memorable. The same is true of the ending, which I won't ruin but there's no question the image is perfectly filmed. Some of the stuff goes a tad bit too far into melodrama including the relationship between the Captain and his wife. There's also a German officer that's a tad bit too silly and it's made even worse by the fact that it's played by an Erich von Stroheim look-alike. I'm sure had Erich been on good terms with the studio then he would have been playing the part. I do wonder why the studio and director cast someone like they did as I'm sure folks in 1926 saw the resemblance. As far as the performances go Terry clearly steals the film. She's extremely passionate, sexual and dramatic so she perfectly captures whatever it is she needs to do. I thought she really brought her character to life and managed to easily steal the film. Moreno is pretty much forgotten today but at the time he was Valentino's rival. His looks probably brought the majority of the women to the film but he turned in a nice performance. There's no question that the screenplay isn't the greatest but the cast and especially Ingram make this something a lot better than it would have been in lesser hands.

The movie focuses on the life of a man who sails the Mediterranean Sea. As a child Ulysses Ferragut (Antonio Moreno), a Spaniard, had a passion for the sea. His uncle, the Triton (Uni Apollon), instilled in him sea tales and stories of the pagan goddess Amphitrite, a protector of sailors. He kept a supposed picture of her on the wall. Against the wishes of his father Don Esteban, who wants him to become a lawyer, Ulysses grows up to become a sea captain of his own fast freighter, the "Mare Nostrum." As he spends so much time at sea (and without much profit) he is rarely with his wife Cinta and young son Esteban. After World War I begins (1914), Ulysses' merchant business becomes very rewarding. After his ship moors at Naples in still-neutral Italy, Ulysses takes a vacation, visiting the old Roman ruins at Pompeii, destroyed long before by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius (79 AD). It still smolders. At the site Ulysses meets enthralling Freya Talberg (Alice Terry), who soon tells him point blank that she is a spy for her native Austria (Austro-Hungarian Empire), the main ally of Germany. Her traveling companion is mannish, heavy-set Dr. Fedelmann (Mademoiselle Paquerette). Declaring that he is a neutral Spaniard and not directly involved with the war, Ulysses is smitten with Freya. He notes that her likeness is the same as that of Amphitrite. Ignoring his small family, Ulysses begins a long affair with Freya.

Meanwhile, the concern of the German spies – Fedelmann and Count Kaledine – who have set up headquarters in Naples, is that the Italians are contemplating joining the allies in the war (English, French, and Russians) against the Central Powers (Germans, Austrians, and Hungarians). After Italy does indeed declare war against Austria (1915), Fedelmann and Kaledine leave Italy to set up shop in neutral Spain (Barcelona).

Encouraged by Freya to help Germany, Ulysses provides fuel for a German submarine operating in the Mediterranean. He is promised that the subs will torpedo only military vessels, not passenger ships. Under an odd-looking German commander, the sub later torpedoes an English passenger vessel that is carrying his son, Esteban, killing him. Mournful Ferragut decides to pursue those responsible for his only son's death. Subsequent scenes of note are the long crowd chase of a German spy in Marseilles, the firing squad scenario, and the final underwater setting.

Filmed on location in several countries, Rex Ingram's movie was probably his most ambitious enterprise outside of "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." The predictable, melodramatic spy-story really is not too thrilling, but good visuals/photography and on-location filming in France, Italy, and Spain help. See those large ships in Naples harbor; never mind the sea-models. Uni Apollon certainly reminds one of an old sea-dog. Alice Terry is alluring while Antonio Moreno is handsome. Grotesquely untidy and obese Hughie Mack is the jolly Spanish servant, Caragol. One wants to cry out to him: "Caragol, take a bath, and please, burn those clothes!" In the end he does find himself immersed.

The source of the phrase, "Mare Nostrum" originates solely from the Roman Empire. This huge dominion, the most far-flung and durable of antiquity, encompassed the entire Mediterranean Sea. As the Romans controlled the Mediterranean basin for hundreds of years, they fittingly called the vast water-system "Our Sea" (Mare Nostrum). Not only was the sea a link for many nations of the empire, but it also helped Rome to ship troops to faraway trouble spots.

Since he was a child Ulysses Farragut had been in love with the sea embodied in the legend of the beautiful Ampitetre. Against his fathers wishes he grows up to captain his own boat The Mare Nostrum but as blissful as his life on the waves is it takes him away from his family. When The War breaks out the lucrative business of shipping as a neutral nation (Spain) calls for even more of his time. While on a tour of ruins he meets a German spy who fulfills his childhood ideal. She seduces him and he in turn agrees to assist re-fueling U boats seeking military targets. His actions result in catastrophe however when it sinks a passenger ship. Haunted by guilt and the need to exact revenge Farragut pursues those responsible.

Shot on location in Europe Mare Nostrum has an impressive look filled with the rich attention to detail that silent film director Rex Ingram and cameraman George Seitz (Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) excelled at. Along with Von Stroheim he provided the era with the most lush and textured canvases and Mare Nostrum is a gallery of splendid landscapes, interiors and portraits to behold. Given its splendid look and fine chemistry and performances from Antonio Moreno and Alice Terry it moves along at a leisurely but absorbing pace. The supporting cast is also up to task with a trio of effective villains singling out Paquerette's Dr. Feldman.

Its a pity that Ingram retired from directing at an early age, it would have been interesting to see more extensive sound work which he did only briefly. As far as cameraman Seitz he would go to work on a regular basis with legendary directors Preston Sturges and Billy Wilder in their peak. I'd say he's a lot more important to the history than given credit for.

Handsome seaman Antonio Moreno (as Ulysses Ferragut) grows up enthralled by the legendary goddess "Amphitrite". The bewitching blonde is described as "the mother and sweetheart of all Mediterranean sailors," and Mr. Moreno keeps a portrait of her in his Barcelona home. There, Moreno lives comfortably with dark-haired wife Kithnou (as Cinta) and their beloved son Michael Brantford (as Esteban). Moreno captains his freighter ship "Mare Nostrum" (Latin for "Our Sea") along the Mediterranean while his wife worries about their son's frequently absent father...

To be a better father, Moreno decides to give up the lovely "Amphitrite" illusion and his seafaring to spend more time at home. This would leave the "Mare Nostrum" in the hands of Frederic Mariotti (as Toni) and obese Christian cook Hughie Mack (as Caragol). But, two things alter Moreno's plans. First, the Great War (aka World War I) begins, making his shipping business more lucrative and important. Then, Moreno meets alluring Alice Terry (as Freya Talberg), who appears to be the sea goddess "Amphitrite" come to life. Alas, Ms. Terry is no goddess, she's spy for Germany!

Continuing to strive for art, director Rex Ingram slowed down his dramatic pace and vowed to film exclusively outside of Hollywood for "Mare Nostrum". It had all the ingredients of a blockbuster - successful director (Ingram), handsome star (Moreno), proved source material (Ibanez), and popular female (Terry) - all done at a healthy budget for MGM distribution. Trouble is, the film simply does not deliver the anticipated excitement. While it seems to presently be lacking its original soundtrack, the surviving print is great condition. It's beautifully shot in France, Italy and Spain.

****** Mare Nostrum (2/15/26) Rex Ingram ~ Antonio Moreno, Alice Terry, Hughie Mack, Mickey Brantford

This is a lavishly produced wartime romance and, as is typical of Ingram, quite stylishly handled (benefiting also from the fact that it was filmed in Europe, the director himself being based in France). The plot places its old-fashioned impossible and, inevitably, tragic love story against the backdrop of a nostalgic view of the sea and the simple fisher-folk who live and die in it, the bourgeoisie with their stuck-up attitude and high ideals and, naturally, an impending world-war situation; for all that, it's most interesting when dealing with the various espionage elements and especially the two submarine attacks (which must have been a novelty at the time) led by a bald-headed and aristocratic German officer, obviously inspired by Erich von Stroheim!

Still, Alice Terry's poignant performance as the female spy (who has mixed emotions about her mission and who happens to be the spitting image of Amphitrite, the Sea Goddess who protects fishermen) is the core of the film; this was perhaps the best role she ever had (directed, naturally, by her husband). Antonio Moreno is less impressive as the male lead, though his disheveled appearance when forced to work for the enemy and following his son's death (for which he is partly to blame) is appropriately world-weary. The beautiful and poetic finale, then, sees the drowning Moreno (after his ship was torpedoed by the sub he helped fuel!) being picked up by Amphitrite herself. Reportedly, this was Ingram's favorite among his own films - as well as Terry herself and Moreno, too!