The Pride and the Passion is a 1957 American Napoleonic-era war film in Technicolor and VistaVision produced and directed by Stanley Kramer, starring Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, and Sophia Loren. The film's storyline concerns a British Royal Navy artillery officer who has orders to retrieve a powerful cannon from Spanish guerillas and transport it across Spain to the British lines, while dealing with the hardships of transporting the cannon across rivers and over mountains.
Plot
The Pride and the Passion is a 1957 American Napoleonic-era war film based on the 1933 novel "The Gun" by C.S. Forester. The film is set in Spain in 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars. As the French Army advances, the retreating Spanish put their massive prize cannon out of action by pushing it into a ravine.
Spain's British allies come to take possession of the cannon, and when their representative, Royal Navy officer Captain Anthony Trumbell (Gran)t) arrives, the Spanish guerillas agree to help recover the gun. But their condition is that it's taken first to the town of Avila to use against the French. This sets into motion an epic trek, taking the enormous cannon overland without the French discovering or intercepting it.
The film features a love triangle between Cary Grant's British officer, the leader of the Spanish guerilla forces, Miguel (Frank Sinatra), and Sophia Loren. Despite the cast of thousands and a lot of money showing on the screen, the film received mixed reviews and was not a box office success.
Trailer
Cast
- Cary Grant as Captain Anthony Trumbell
- Frank Sinatra as Miguel
- Sophia Loren as Juana
- Theodore Bikel as General Jouvet
- John Wengraf as General Ploy
- Jay Novello as Sermaine
- José Nieto as Sermaine
- Philip Van Zandt as Bit part
- Jay Novello as Sermaine
- John Wengraf as General Ploy
- Theodore Bikel as General Jouvet
Director - Stanley Kramer
Writer - Edna Anhalt, Edward Anhalt, and Earl Felton
Box Office Gross - $8,750,000
Distributor – No information
Genre - Historical Adventure, Action, Drama, and Romance
Release date - 1957
Theme
The theme of The Pride and the Passion revolves around the challenges and sacrifices of war, as well as the human emotions and relationships that are tested during times of conflict. The film combines elements of action, adventure, drama, and romance to portray the struggles and triumphs of the characters against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars in 1810.
Reception
The Pride and the Passion received mixed reviews from critics and ]audiences. It was criticized for its uneven pacing, lack of character development, and weak action scenes. Some reviewers praised the film's epic scale, impressive production values, and star-studded cast, while others found it to be overly melodramatic and lacking in substance. Overall, the film is considered to be a flawed but entertaining historical adventure that showcases the talents of its talented cast and crew.
Settings
The Pride and the Passion is set in Spain during the Napoleonic Wars in 1810. The film showcases various Spanish landscapes and towns as the characters embark on their mission to transport a massive cannon across the country, evoking the rugged and scenic beauty of the Spanish countryside. The settings play a significant role in the film, providing a visually striking backdrop for the epic journey and the dramatic events that unfold during the story.
Visual Styles & Techniques
The film is known for its epic scale and grand production, showcasing the visual splendor of the Spanish countryside and featuring massive battle sequences.
The cinematography and visual presence of the film are highlighted as significant aspects, contributing to the overall grandeur of the production.
