I critically watched the 1942 super classic "Casablanca" (8.5 on IMDb), and the immemorable 1953 "Flight to Tangier" (5.3 on IMDb); so why not a film highlighting Istanbul?
I expected a flop ala "Flight to Tangier". I was pleasantly surprised.
One of the chief element of the success of "Casablanca" was the star (Humphrey Bogart) painfully, but pragmatically, sacrificing his love (Ingrid Bergman) to another man. Audiences respond favorably to romance dramas with hurt in the endings. You release your love so that she can survive and safely move on. Another example lies in the 1942 super classic "For Whom the Bell Tolls" with Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman. The 1952 super classic "Shane" is yet another example, where the star basically takes on the hurt to save others.
"Istanbul" attempts to do this, but this time with a supporting actor turning over the heroine (Cornell Borchers) back to her original love (Errol Flynn). But, how do we even get there? No spoilers here. Watch it (it's on YouTube) and see what you think.
You will undoubtedly pick up a host of other elements borrowed from "Casablanca", including a cafe that anchors everything together, a Black American piano player (played by Nat King Cole himself - he sings "When I Fall in Love"), and a friendly police officer closely following the events as they unfold. Baddies and diamond smuggling are thrown in for the thrill factor.
Fairly good entertainment for an evening.
Errol Flynn would pass away at the young age of 50, two years after the film was released. I could sense that Flynn came across as sort of tired. To me he looked prematurely aged. See what you think.
I expected a flop ala "Flight to Tangier". I was pleasantly surprised.
One of the chief element of the success of "Casablanca" was the star (Humphrey Bogart) painfully, but pragmatically, sacrificing his love (Ingrid Bergman) to another man. Audiences respond favorably to romance dramas with hurt in the endings. You release your love so that she can survive and safely move on. Another example lies in the 1942 super classic "For Whom the Bell Tolls" with Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman. The 1952 super classic "Shane" is yet another example, where the star basically takes on the hurt to save others.
"Istanbul" attempts to do this, but this time with a supporting actor turning over the heroine (Cornell Borchers) back to her original love (Errol Flynn). But, how do we even get there? No spoilers here. Watch it (it's on YouTube) and see what you think.
You will undoubtedly pick up a host of other elements borrowed from "Casablanca", including a cafe that anchors everything together, a Black American piano player (played by Nat King Cole himself - he sings "When I Fall in Love"), and a friendly police officer closely following the events as they unfold. Baddies and diamond smuggling are thrown in for the thrill factor.
Fairly good entertainment for an evening.
Errol Flynn would pass away at the young age of 50, two years after the film was released. I could sense that Flynn came across as sort of tired. To me he looked prematurely aged. See what you think.