Les rubis du prince birman

Robert Warwick is an independent Burmese price, and his son has been murdered, shot dead. All the evidence points to Robert Ryan. Local British commissioner Reginald Denny says that Ryan must be brought to Rangoon and tried, and orders the most able police officer available to him, David Farrar, to do so. But Ryan makes his way through the jungle to the teak plantation run by Barbara Stanwyck, and gains her trust and love. When Farrar shows up, she helps Ryan escape. Farar pursues him.

Director Allan Dwan's 399th movie is beautifully photographed by John Alton, and with Ryan and Stanwyck, there are some impressive pyrotechnics in the acting. Unfortunately, there's some annoying idiot plotting in the denouement, evidence that would have wrapped the entire story up in less than ten minutes. Of course, then we couldn't have seen Miss Stanwyck lording it over the locals, treating well-behaved elephants kindly, . Neither would we have witnessed a slugfest between Ryan and Farrar, nor a gun battle in which Warwick's troops try to murder the three principals in a savages-invading-the-fort dust-up that was hoary by the time this movie was made. If that's your idea of a good time..

it must have been quite impressive for it's time - Color film, old-time film noir star B. Stanwyck and film military hero Robert Ryan were the big attractions in this far-away-location B movie; one of the 2-movie pack in the discount bin from TCM. it DOES have crystal-clear color photography andexcellent sound. Lots of messing about with elephants and tigers, and actors reciting monotone lines; the script needed some more zing or something - not much of a plot in the first half, but it gets better as it goes along. This was made about 10 years before Stanwyck's starring role in "Big Valley". Robert Ryan redeemed himself by doing "Longest Day" and "Battle of the Bulge" after this. Directed by Allan Dwan, who had started in 1911 in silents, and had worked his way up in every occupation in the film industry.

Escape to Burma is just one of a series of adventure features starring the estimable Barbara Stanwyck. However, where this film stands out above many of her other pictures from this period is that the supporting cast can actually act.

In fact, the male actors Robert Ryan and David Farrar, are so good in their roles as outlaw and law enforcer that they almost overshadow the matriarch Stanwyck herself. Almost.

Escape to Burma is standard Hollywood fare, but entertaining nevertheless; ideal for a rainy day. There are much worse ways to spend 85 minutes.

Direction, acting and virtually everything else about this mid-fifties pulp action flick are too flat to make it more than mildly enjoyable in a camp way. Ryan and Farrar fare better than Stanwyck, whose performance here unintentionally verges on self-parody. Stanwyck is very watchable here, but the script is so lazy and routine that her typical (and admirable) energy in tackling the role works against her. Ryan more appropriately gives the script its due,expressing obvious contempt for some of his lines. For a fifties flick, the quick sexual hookup of Ryan and Stanwyck is surprising (though a 10-year-old kid could see the film and not know what was happening between them).

I think this and "Cattle Queen of Montana" are Stanwyck's only color films. Black and white works better for her; the heavy makeup here makes her look inappropriately feverish, even for a jungle flick.

"Escape to Burma" is enjoyably bad in a mild way. I loved the back-lot jungle sets and obvious tropical foliage decoration. Nice house Stanwyck has there in the jungle too. Super art direction (always an RKO forte).

"Slightly Scarlet," "Silver Lode" and "The River's Edge" are far more enjoyable and interesting Allan Dwan efforts from the fifties.

This is a movie full of charm that I talk about helped by a splendid cast, magical score and atmosphere, despite the studio lot obvious settings. The pure example of what the fifties could bring us in terms of adventure flicks. Benedict Bogeaus provided most of last films from prolific director Allan Dwann. Robert Ryan and Barbara Stanwyck shine at their best here and the animal presence gives a delightful touch to the whole. No matter the intrigue, story, only enjoy the atmosphere. John Alton proves one more time his magical talent as director of photography. This movie is a jewel by itself, and not only those what it is question in the story.