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Sirocco
1951 War / Drama / Action
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Summary
In 1925, Syria is under French control. In Damascus, Emir Hassan
resents the presence of French soldiers in his country and leads a
violent insurrection which threatens to engulf the country.
Meanwhile, the French officer Colonel Féroud is determined to
end the fighting by peaceful means. His opportunity comes when he
uncovers a gunrunner, Harry Smith, who has been supplying guns and
ammunition to Hassan. Féroud makes Harry an offer he can’t
refuse – to arrange a meeting with the Emir so he can negotiate a peace
treaty.Critique
One's critical perception of Sirocco
is somewhat tarnished by the fact that it is an all too obvious attempt
to cash in on the success of Casablanca (1942). With a
plot and setting that closely mirrors that of Casablanca, and with Humphrey
Bogart again playing a cynical, politically neutral American
expatriate, Sirocco can
hardly be judged in any other light. The film does have some
strengths – atmospheric film noir photography and effective
performances from Bogart and Lee J. Cobb – but these are greatly
undermined by the uninspired direction, weak supporting cast and painfully contrived
screenplay. Most Bogart enthusiasts rate this as one of his worst
films – and with some reason.
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