Was expecting a lot of great things from 'Man on a Tightrope'. The high rating and very positive reviews here. A very influential director in Elia Kazan, some of his best work including 'A Streetcar Named Desire', 'East of Eden' and 'On the Waterfront' being masterpieces and even lesser efforts such as 'The Sea of Grass' not being that bad. A great composer in Franz Waxman. And a lot of talent in the cast, such as Fredric March, Gloria Grahame, Richard Boone and Adolphe Menjou.
'Man on a Tightrope' luckily delivers. It may not be one of Kazan's very best, but it is one of his most underrated. Despite being well received it doesn't get enough attention these days, deserving to be known more than the film Kazan was working on when he testified for the House of Commitee on Un-American Activities ended several careers (am not going to dwell on that as it is not relevant and has no bearing on him as a director, just a little trivia and perhaps one of the reasons as to why the film isn't better known).
There is very little to criticise here, though there is the odd draggy stretch.
However, 'Man on a Tightrope' is extremely well made. Cannot fault the production values, the sets and costumes are handsome and authentic but it's the quite outstanding cinematography that is particularly good in this regard. It is scored with a stirring and not too overbearingly orchestrated atmosphere too, something that Waxman was also very good at. Kazan directs very effectively and one can see what his appeal was and why he was so influential from watching the film, even if other films of his did it even better.
Script is thoughtful and at times even poetic. The story has a good deal of tension and pathos (without wallowing in the latter), with some well staged and exciting, at times gut-wrenching, sequences that perfectly displays the excitement and danger of the setting. Am glad that 'Man on a Tightrope didn't take the easy way out or play it too safe with the ending, quite powerful and moving and not a tacked on or pat one. The political element is not over-emphasised too much.
Cannot fault the performances in well defined roles. March is wonderful here and gives one of his best later performances, showing why he was as good as he was in dramatic roles when the material was good (usually not a problem in this regard). Grahame is sensual and has chilling and tender moments, while Menjou and Robert Beatty give authoritative performances.
Overall, wonderful film that deserves more recognition. 9/10
'Man on a Tightrope' luckily delivers. It may not be one of Kazan's very best, but it is one of his most underrated. Despite being well received it doesn't get enough attention these days, deserving to be known more than the film Kazan was working on when he testified for the House of Commitee on Un-American Activities ended several careers (am not going to dwell on that as it is not relevant and has no bearing on him as a director, just a little trivia and perhaps one of the reasons as to why the film isn't better known).
There is very little to criticise here, though there is the odd draggy stretch.
However, 'Man on a Tightrope' is extremely well made. Cannot fault the production values, the sets and costumes are handsome and authentic but it's the quite outstanding cinematography that is particularly good in this regard. It is scored with a stirring and not too overbearingly orchestrated atmosphere too, something that Waxman was also very good at. Kazan directs very effectively and one can see what his appeal was and why he was so influential from watching the film, even if other films of his did it even better.
Script is thoughtful and at times even poetic. The story has a good deal of tension and pathos (without wallowing in the latter), with some well staged and exciting, at times gut-wrenching, sequences that perfectly displays the excitement and danger of the setting. Am glad that 'Man on a Tightrope didn't take the easy way out or play it too safe with the ending, quite powerful and moving and not a tacked on or pat one. The political element is not over-emphasised too much.
Cannot fault the performances in well defined roles. March is wonderful here and gives one of his best later performances, showing why he was as good as he was in dramatic roles when the material was good (usually not a problem in this regard). Grahame is sensual and has chilling and tender moments, while Menjou and Robert Beatty give authoritative performances.
Overall, wonderful film that deserves more recognition. 9/10