Sirocco (1951)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Curtis Bernhardt

Writers:

A.I. Bezzerides (writer)
Hans Jacoby (writer)

Release Date:

13 June 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Action

Tagline:

BEYOND CASABLANCA . . . Fate, in a Low-cut Gown, Lies in Wait for Bogart!

Plot:

A cynical American expatriate gets involved in smuggling and gun-running for the rebels during the 1925 Syrian insurgency against French occupation.

Plot Keywords:

Rebel | 1925 | Gun | Syria | Smuggling

Cast

Humphrey Bogart	...	Harry Smith
Märta Torén	...	Violette
Lee J. Cobb	...	Col. Feroud
Everett Sloane	...	Gen. LaSalle
Gerald Mohr	...	Major Jean Leon
Zero Mostel	...	Balukjiaan
Nick Dennis	...	Nasir Aboud
Onslow Stevens	...	Emir Hassan
Ludwig Donath	...	Flophouse proprietor
David Bond	...	Achmet
Vincent Renno	...	Arthur

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Arabic

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Norway:16 | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #15117)

Company:

Santana Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

According to actor Jamie Farr, the movie debuted on Saturday night at the Rivoli in his home town of Toledo. Most of Toledo's Arab-American community turned out to see it. As a scene where Bogart walks though a crowded bazaar begins to fade, an Arab voice is heard shouting, "Ya hallah deen bayak!" which caused most of the audience to collapse in laughter. The non-Arabs in the house did not understand why everyone else was laughing until the line was translated for them: "Goddamn your father!"

Goofs:

Plot holes: In a very key plot point scene Balukjiaan goes to Smith's warehouse on behalf of French intelligence and tries to find out if there are any dried apricots. He uses as an excuse that he is throwing a birthday party for himself and has plenty of pilaf and pahklava, but nothing sweet for dessert. Pahklava is the Armenian name for baklava, which is a very sweet Greek and Middle Eastern dessert. Either the writers didn't know what pahklava is or the whole premise of needing dessert is mistaken.

Quotes:

Harry Smith: I sure thought you were a goner.
Col. Feroud: Buying my freedom was your idea, I suppose.
Harry Smith: Yes, it was.
Col. Feroud: Why did you do it? I should think you'd want to see me out of the way.
Harry Smith: I made a little money on the deal.
Col. Feroud: I see.
Harry Smith: I saved your life and you seem to resent it.
Col. Feroud: I do.
Harry Smith: Maybe you should have had me shot after all.
Col. Feroud: I agree.

Hard to explain...

SIROCCO is a film which has gotten mixed reviews, or at least mostly bad reviews. And they are right. My favorite Bogie films (or at least the ones I've seen) are IN A LONELY PLACE, CASABLANCA, THE BIG SLEEP and a couple more. And they have the right to be called "classics". Or even by some, "masterpieces". But SIROCCO doesn't get that chance because, well, it's really nothing special. Being a huge Bogie-fan, I was disappointed when the movie ended and I felt that person who can be referred as "supporting role" was Bogie. Being the superstar that he was, he should have been able to be in the film a little more. I wouldn't advise anyone to not see this film. OK, see it. But don't expect a masterpiece, or even a great movie cause' it's not, unfortunately. the acting and the whole black/white thing were the only good things. But, hey, I would advise IN A LONELY PLACE to anyone, anytime, anywhere. So don't get your hopes up for SIROCCO, instead go rent/buy IN A LONELY PLACE, because that is a film worth calling a classic. Hope I helped.