Le secret du Grand Canyon

I taped Edge of Eternity when Channel 4 screened it some time ago and found it very enjoyable. Some reviews state this as a Western, but it is more of a mystery-thriller than a Western.

A Sheriff in Arizona investigates three murders around the Grand Canyon and is help by a woman and not surprisingly they fall in love with each other. The killer then takes the woman hostage and he is caught in the dramatic final showdown in a minor's bucket, high over the Grand Canyon.

Edge of Eternity has some magnificent scenery. especially the Grand Canyon scenes.

The cast is lead by Cornel Wilde as the Sheriff, Victoria Shaw as his love interest and Micky Shaughnessy. All play good parts.

This movie is a must see, just for the scenery. Excellent.

Rating: 3 and a half stars out of 5.

One of nature's natural wonders the Grand Canyon of Arizona serves as the backdrop to this modern day western where a breakout of three murders occur within a week. They don't seem to be related but of course they are and Deputy Sheriff Cornel Wilde pursues them all with the backing of Sheriff Edgar Buchanan.

Wilde and Buchanan have their work cut out for them. The prosecuting attorney is from a different political party which backed a candidate against Wilde in the last election in Mohave County. Wilde's had issues in the past and his conduct of the investigation is used against Buchanan.

In all of this it centers around a scheme to steal gold out of a working mine in the Grand Canyon that's owned by Victoria Shaw and her family. Wilde and her get a little romance going and her knowledge of fashion and designer labels is what gives him the clue to crack things open.

The last 20 minutes involve the villain taking Victoria Shaw hostage with a nasty fight on a cable car that goes over the canyon between Wilde and the villain. Really well done a harbinger of some of the action stuff that is more prevalent in today's films. All staged and directed with distinction by Don Siegel.

Edge Of Eternity is a crackerjack noir mystery set in the modern west, but hardly in a tight urban setting. You can't get more expansive than the Grand Canyon and I saw it about 5 years after Edge Of Eternity was filmed there. Grand doesn't begin to describe it, but this film will give you some idea.

Director Don Siegel and star Cornel Wilde combine to give audiences a fast paced and very entertaining murder mystery that keeps everyone guessing until the breathtaking climax.The wild beauty of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River serve as a backdrop to the mystery This is the closest that Wilde ever came to making a western and he is cast as a former Las Vegas police detective who is now a deputy sheriff in an Arizona town and is faced with a series of baffling murders in what is normally a quite and peaceful little desert hamlet.Wilde becomes romantically involved with the daughter of towns local big shot played by Victoria Shaw who he meets while giving her a speeding ticket. Ms Shaw was married to actor Roger Smith at the time.. The father is of course hostile to the relationship, particularly when he becomes a suspect in the murders. Crusty Edgar Buchanan portrays the slow moving sheriff who is occupied in a feud with the county prosecutor regarding the crimes. Mickey Shaughnessy plays Scotty O'Brien who owns the town's only tavern and liquor store. Scotty seems to know a lot of town secrets but like all good bartenders he is very discreet.

Of course the Canyon is as much a star in the film as any of the actors and Siegel gets a marvelous performance from the river and the gorge.From the jaw dropping beginning to the heart pounding climax, the Canyon is the real star. Siegel favorites Jack Elam and Dabbs Greer have red herring roles. Seek this one out you will be glade you did.

Edge of Eternity is directed by Don Siegel and written by Richard Collins. It stars Cornel Wilde, Victoria Shaw, Mickey Shaughnessy, Edgar Buchanan and Rian Garrick. A CinemaScope production with music by Daniele Amfitheatrof and cinematography by Burnett Guffey.

Contemporary Western that finds Wilde as the local deputy sheriff trying to solve a murder case in the Ghost Town of Kendon.

It's not got a strong plot and the performances of the cast are hardly out the top draw, but it's a solid murder mystery set to the magnificent backdrop of The Grand Canyon. Siegel keeps things pacey as Guffey brings the scorching vistas to life, and it all builds to an exciting finale, where some rear projection work not withstanding, it's breath holding stuff. 7/10

"Edge of Eternity" is without question the finest color photography I have ever seen. The colors of the Grand Canyon are displayed in razor sharp beauty, especially when viewing "Twilight Time's" limited edition Blueray. While the murder investigation is rather ordinary, and the love interest between Cornel Wilde and Victoria Shaw kills time, all is forgiven with the spectacular aerial photography, unbelievable stunts, and fabulous fifties cars on display. The highlight of course is seeing the U.S. Guano tram swinging wildly over the Canyon as Wilde and Mickey Shaughnessy engage in a gun battle. This is truly a one of a kind film, not for it's story, not for it's acting, but for the unforgettable photography and the unique and exciting climax. "Edge of Eternity" is a must see. - MERK