yeggorp
I loved this movie because of the performance of Signe Hasso, who conveyed all she could, given her stereotypical lines. Farrago's part was a caricature of a Hispanic dictator. I wonder how many actually have such a sardonic, self-deprecating sense of humor. Grant was excellent, but demonstrated what a marvelous actor he is by delivering somewhat stilted, corny lines with aplomb and feeling. Paula Raymond's part gave her little to work with. The others were serviceable.But Miss Hasso was superb. I missed the opening credits, and had no idea who she was, but was immediately intrigued by her performance. I suppose she was patterned after Evita, but she came across as much more sympathetic than Eva ever could. When I came to IMDb to learn who played the part, I was stunned to learn it was a Scandinavian, rather than a Hispanic. She carried it off marvelously.
burmashave1
I had thought I'd seen just about every film Cary Grant made until I saw "Crisis" on Turner Classic Movies today. I found it a well-done suspense thriller, which at the same time examined some heavy moral decisions that must be made in times of stress and crisis. The moral dilemma of a doctor facing a decision to save a life, when the patient's death would benefit so many is truly a difficult one. Does the doctor live up to his oath to heal, or does he live up to his moral values which demand that tyranny be opposed and destroyed? Do professional ethics supersede moral values? The battle within the doctor is well delineated. The climax of this battle within himself is sobering. The acting is excellent, especially that of Grant and Jose Ferrer. Ferrer's depiction of the dictator is chilling indeed. The end comes as a decided relief.
juniperjenn99
I suppose people who are just looking for a vehicle to swoon over Cary Grant will be find this movie dull. Not that he's not '"swoonable" in this. He's great! But this film has to be viewed as a serious drama that attempts for the first time in Hollywood (!) to look at the issues of a Third World country. It's the first time! Hollywood was still making safe, 'nice' movies, and was heavily in the horror and insanity of McCarthyism. That a film like this could be made at all, is amazing. This is a pretty 'small' film, shot mostly on soundstages with a little known supporting cast. But that cast is great, especially Jose Ferrer, who really gives one of his very best screen performances. The score is excellent, the tension is well-paced, and the script... well, it may seem dated today, but considering how many people didn't know (and still don't know!) what's happening in other parts of the world, it packs a lot of information in usually, a very eloquent way. And you just gotta love the idea of the dictator watching his surgeon rehearsing the surgery that might possibly take his life! For it's time, this is a remarkable film. Today, it is less so, but still is very worthwhile entertainment.
bmacv
Even someone who's been keeping track of old movies for many years can be forgiven if this one slipped under the radar. Surgeon Cary Grant and his wife are vacationing in a South- or Central-American paradise when they are abducted by government forces. Seems the country's dictator (Jose Ferrar) has a brain tumor but is afraid to leave the country due to revolutionary activity. Grant is pressured into performing the operation. Only problem is, the guerrillas have captured his wife, threatening to kill her if Ferrar survives the operation. But the letter informing him of this never reaches Grant.... Supporting cast includes Leon Ames, Ramon Navarro (Ben-Hur of the silent era) and Signe Hasso as Ferrar's wife, an Evita Peron clone. This is a tense and often intelligent drama (and slightly out of Grant's usual debonair range) that doesn't merit the obscurity it seems to be buried in.
AD
