Boxoffice - Feb. 17, 2014

Foreign Language Features
I Condottieri
Esperia Films) F 89 Min.
Historical Drama. The historical beginings
of a united Italy are the basis of this
talian production. It is set in the time of
18 Borgias and Medicis and relies on intriue
of a Machiavellian nature for its drama.
ut in another sense, it offers Luis Trener_he
calls himself Luigi in the credits
-as an early prototype of II Duce. It
!ems certain that he was selected for his
^semblance. Many of his mannerisms
little ave to the imagination. Contained
I this story are battles on a grand scale
id a great deal of authentic, early Florenne
background. The Italian army was
ressed into service for the crowd scenes,
creditably performed, but the editing
is
haphazard. It seems strictly for the
jdience that knows the country and
leaks the language.
uis Trenker, Loris Gizzi, Carla Sveva.
Ethel Maggi. Laura Nucci, Sandra Dani.
Last Desire
Transatlantic Fihnsi
80 Mill.
Drama. With the realistic treatment that
le French accord their films, this proiction
is superlatively performed, but
imiliar drama. Raimu and Jacqueline
elubac, two of the finest artists in France,
lact a version of Liam O'Flaherty's novel,
vir. Gilhooley," which the distributor has
ibtitled "A story of guilt and passion."
hat it is, famUiarly enough. It is the old
ory of the love of an old man for a
)ung woman. Picked up on the streets,
18 goes to live with Raimu. She later
Us him that she will try to love him, but
lat her heart belongs to a former love
ho has disappeared. In between her fits
attempted unfaithfulness and the opwing
temperament of the old man she
•adually sets the stage for her murder.
Raimu, Jacqueline Delubac, PierrcBrasseur,
Tramel, Alice Tissot.
SOS MediteTTanean
redis Films) F 81 Min.
Drama. A good story of human values is
fered in this French production. But the
uidling might have been better. As an
fering for the right type of house it is
jtable and should do fairly well. The
enario, with that dash of "being differit."
tells of the combined efforts of three
itions, through their naval officers, to
m down a smuggler of a highly poisonous
is barred from regular transportation
lannels by international treaty. The setng
is the Mediterranean and is wholly
aritime. Shore locations are Tangiers
Id Toulon. The chief point is the friendip
and cooperation of a French captain
Id German and English lieutenants. Reible
elements of suspense and camara-
•rie are worked in as they aid a trapped
ssel.
erre Fresnay, Rolf Wanka, Kim Peacock,
Nadine Vogel, Jean-Claude DeBully.
They Wanted Peace
(Amkhio) A 73 Min.
Historical Drama. Joe Stalin must have
smiled warmly on this latest Soviet film to
play here. Not only does it concern himself,
Lenin, the Kerensky government and
its eventual overthrow but it also has as
characters in a romantic thread a couple
of Georgian soldiers. Stalin is a Georgian.
Here he is presented as the editor
of "Pravda" and consort of Lenin during
the dark days when the Bolsheviks were
preparing to oust the Kerensky adherents
and French and German influences. The
is print grainy, but it serves well enough
in the telling of the story. It is done in
the typical Russian style, plenty of extras,
battle scenes and concentration on the
human element in the ranks. Stalin and
Lenin are capably played by actors. The
romance lifts it above the usual standard.
Russophobes should like it.
F. Bagashvili, Tamara Makarova, A. Smirnova.
K. Miuffko, M. Gelovani.
Ultimatum
U. H. Hoffberg Prod.) A 73 Min.
Drama. Here is a spy story, built around
the event that precipitated the last war. It
packs moving drama and sympathy for its
protagonists. They are really decent people,
in this French film made the victims
of the Austro-Serbian incident. The action
is slow moving but has the engrossing
qualities of a game of chess played by experts.
The Danube River separates Austrian
and Serbian cities. They have enjoyed
peace. When the ultimatum is issued
personal feelings are forgotten and
the military order takes over, ruthlessly
breaking human ties. This is told through
the events that befall a young officer and
his wife. There is a real human note in the
role and performance of Eric Von Stroheim
as a commandant. Directed by Robert
Wiene.
Eric Von Stroheim, Dita Parlo, Bernard
Laneret, Abel Jacquin, Georges Rollin.
Life on the Hortobagy
(Eureka Prod.) A
78 Min.
Semi-Documentary. Life among the
horse and cattle breeders on the plains of
Central Hungary is depicted in this film.
Supplementing the documentary narrative
is a story of romance between a young
couple held by custom. It is acted, feebly,
by natives. The language is Hungarian.
There are English titles. The approach to
the subject is realistic and has the unabashed
frankness of barnyard virility and
clinical aspects of animal husbandry. Included
in the documentation are scenes of
mating and the birth of a foal. The continuity
depicts activity on the plam from
dawn to dusk. The filming was done with
emphasis on the earthy quality of the people
and their way of living. Taken as a
real life episode it has many honest virtues
and presents them in that way. But there
will be different schools of thought on just
what portions of it can be shown.
YOUR GRACIOUS HOST
FROM COAST TO COAST