Main Cast: Bruce Cabot, Gene Tierney, George Sanders, Cedric Hardwicke, Harry Carey, Joseph Calleia
Release Year: 1941
Country: US
Run Time: 91 minutes
Plot
Adapted by Barre Lyndon from his own Saturday Evening Post short story, Sundown takes place in Africa during WW2. British army major Coombes (George Sanders) cannot abide the local Arab population, and he has even less time for district commissioner Crawford (Bruce Cabot), who has befriended the natives. Crawford is particularly fond of the beautiful Zia (Gene Tierney), whom Coombes suspects of being a Nazi sympathizer. But when the British troops must make their way through treacherous uncharted territory, they are forced to rely upon the guidance of the enigmatic Zia. Cedric Hardwycke spouts reams and reams of symbolic dialogue as the local British bishop, while among the native extras is a very young Dorothy Dandridge. Impressively photographed (by Charles Lang) and directed (by Henry Hathaway), Sundown just misses being as profound as it obviously wants to be. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
A slightly above average adventure picture, Sundown has its ups and downs but comes out just a bit on the up side. As is so often the case, much of the "downs" are due to the screenplay. It seems as if the writers cobbled together a few plot devices from here, a few from there, a good supporting character from one story, an ending setting from Mrs. Miniver and hoped that stirring them all up would create something new. It doesn't. But, that said, there have been far worse screenplays than this, which is functional if nothing more. Its stars are also a mixed bag. On the plus side, we have George Sanders. When "on," Sanders could be relied upon to bring a unique quality to any film, and Sundown catches Sanders definitely in the "on" position. The movie also has the beauty of Gene Tierney, which is truly something to behold. Were her performance in the same class as her beauty -- which it is not - Sundown would have been a much better film. Similarly, Bruce Cabot looks good but his performance is only okay. There's better work from supporting players Harry Carey and Cedric Hardwicke. Henry Hathaway's direction is uneven, but it's spot on during the battle scenes; these are among the film's highlights. Charles B. Lang's cinematography is also a definite plus, moody when needed, dazzling on occasion. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Reginald Gardiner - Lt. Turner; Carl Esmond - Kuypens; Marc Lawrence - Hammud; Jeni Le Gon - Miriami; Emmett E. Smith - Kipsang; Dorothy Dandridge - Kipsang's Bride; Tetsu Komai - Kuypens' Shenzi Aide; Curtis Nero - Corporal of Askaris; Darby Jones - Camel Man; Jester Hairston - Native Boy; Gilbert Emery - Ashburton; Blue Washington - Askari Veteran; Hassan Said - Arab Reader; Woody Strode - Tribal Policeman; St. Luke's Choristers; Kenny Washington - Sgt. Kumakwa; Frank Clark; Frederick Clark - Ibraham; Rory Calhoun; Ivan Browning - Signal Man; William Dunn - Kipsang's Victim; Eddie Das - Pindi
