Copyright 1956. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture. New York opening at the Radio City Music Hall: 24 May 1956 (ran five weeks). U.S. release: 8 June 1956. U.K. release: 29 October 1956. Australian release: 24 October 1956. 9,841 feet; 109 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Rioters and passive resisters attempt to disrupt the Indian railroad in 1947.
COMMENT: The real joy and interest in this movie lies not so much in the stars or even in the story, but in director Cukor's impressive handling of the crowd and action footage. It will be remembered that Selznick fired Cukor from Gone With The Wind because he felt that Cukor did not have the necessary "big feel" for the spectacle scenes. In Bhowani Junction it's obvious that Cukor set to work with the primary intention of proving that producer wrong. At times, the CinemaScope screen seems filled to bursting with action.
As for the plot, however, even in 1956 audiences were getting mighty tired of heroes and heroines who were seeking their identities. Although the movie recovered its huge production and distribution costs, it earned little in the way of actual profit.
Ava Gardner fans were none too happy either. She is cast out of her depth here. Although she comes across with power and conviction in some scenes, in general her performance is disappointing. Granger and Travers are none too hot either. It's left to the support cast to provide the really interesting and solid characterizations. Also on the plus side are Freddie Young's picturesque camera-work and Rozsa's vibrant music score.
SYNOPSIS: Rioters and passive resisters attempt to disrupt the Indian railroad in 1947.
COMMENT: The real joy and interest in this movie lies not so much in the stars or even in the story, but in director Cukor's impressive handling of the crowd and action footage. It will be remembered that Selznick fired Cukor from Gone With The Wind because he felt that Cukor did not have the necessary "big feel" for the spectacle scenes. In Bhowani Junction it's obvious that Cukor set to work with the primary intention of proving that producer wrong. At times, the CinemaScope screen seems filled to bursting with action.
As for the plot, however, even in 1956 audiences were getting mighty tired of heroes and heroines who were seeking their identities. Although the movie recovered its huge production and distribution costs, it earned little in the way of actual profit.
Ava Gardner fans were none too happy either. She is cast out of her depth here. Although she comes across with power and conviction in some scenes, in general her performance is disappointing. Granger and Travers are none too hot either. It's left to the support cast to provide the really interesting and solid characterizations. Also on the plus side are Freddie Young's picturesque camera-work and Rozsa's vibrant music score.