Released by: 20th Century Fox Cinema Archives
Released on: June 20, 2012.
Director: Allan Dwan
Cast: Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, Annabella
Year: 1938
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The Movie:
Using a romantic, impassioned story to bring dusty history to life Suez is another Zanuck star-vehicle for Tyrone Power and Loretta Young. Directed by the incredibly-prodigious Allan Dwan the story focuses on young French diplomat Ferdinand des Lesseps (Power), the actually primary mover on getting the Suez Canal built in the middle of the 19th century. He and the Countess Eugenie (Young) are in Paris' high society and in love. But when the scheming Napoleon III (Leon Ames) sets his sights on the countess he shuffles Ferdinand off to Egypt.
Once there, he's assigned to “culturing†the viceroy's buffoonish, lazy son. They get on well enough, though, and Ferdinand is soon in favor with the rulers of the country. He still pines for the Countess but is soon also beset by the spunky, unabashed Toni (Annabella), a tomboy/army-brat that falls instantly in love with Ferdinand and will always support him. These two soon find themselves at Port Said and Ferdinand conceives the idea for the canal. With Toni's urging him on he's soon off to try and gain the support he needs to undertake such a huge task.
His efforts take him back to France, just in time for the riots that were threatening to tear down the country at that time. Ferdinand's father is popular in the Assembly and they're trying to keep Napoleon in check. But when Napoleon makes an offer for peace through the Countess to Ferdinand - one that relies on the Assembly disbanding just to help quiet the citizens - Ferdinand sees the chance for peace. Of course, as soon as he convinces the Assembly to do this Napoleon plays his hand and arrests them all, leaving Ferdinand looking like a traitor. As his reward Napoleon offers his full support for building the canal. Ferdinand is outraged and it's only after a passionate speech from Toni does he realize he needs to take the emperor's offer.
Back in Egypt, work continues on the canal but is now beset with international pressure: Turkish-backed Arab terrorists blow up rocks to kill workers and then the British, seeing the canal as a threat to their trade lines to India, refuse to support it and refuse to support France, who are nearing war with Prussia. Ferdinand is hard-pressed but, after meeting with and gaining the support of Benjamin Disraeli in England, he perseveres in seeing his dream through. Just when it's looking at its best, though, a tornado tears through their work site, destroying equipment and killing many people, including Toni who dies saving Ferdinand's life. In a final scene he is presented with honors by the former Countess (now queen) in a lavish ceremony and they share a sad sentiment over the cost of achieving one's dreams.
The film ends, then, with an effects shot showing ships in the newly-opened Suez Canal. Ferdinand, on horseback, overlooks his great work and hears Toni's encouraging words of hope and is thus inspired to live his life alone but satisfied.
Audio/Video/Extras:
Like others in this archives-release series this release comes just with the film itself - no extras are available. The film itself is capably transferred in 4:3 full-frame ratio. Apart from some slight hair-clogs and one clearly-broken reel spot the transfer looks pretty good. Several scenes are pretty dark but hold up well enough here, too. The audio is served up in Dolby Digital 2.0 that handles this older film very capably as well.
The Final Word:
A big, romantic epic re-writing history (a bit) and using some grand scale settings and special effects Suez is a great example of old-Hollywood filmmaking and a visually entertaining film.