Saadia (1953)

Sometimes one is so pleasantly surprised by a film and this is one of those rare gems that surpassed my expectations.

This is a deeper movie than most of the type coming out of the 1950s.

I don't know if it came from the novel or the mind of Albert Lewin but there are some deep insights into the human psyche in this film.

Both Rita Gam and Wanda Rotha are stunning beauties and I've always loved Cornell Wilde which is why I watched the film rather than turning it off as I had intended. Mel Ferrer has a weak moment or two, especially in one scene he merely is reciting his lines not ACTING them. Yet Ferrer is quite good and I can see, now, why he was so popular and a heartthrob.

This film has action, quite well done I might add, really capable horsemanship, great scenery and costumes, as well as one of the more mature approaches to primitive superstition that one will come across.

Just a delight and I have to say, yet again, THANK GOD for TCM.

All in all a MOST delightful 80 some odd minutes of entertainment.

I full intend to purchase the DVD of this film and if the book is in print that also.

The film is either 82 or 87 minutes depending on who is right, IMDb or TCM