This is an extremely beautiful movie that was filmed in the stark landscape of the Canary Islands. The film begins with a rather restrained and dull young man coming from Spain to be the island's doctor. One of his servants is the young Mararía and the doctor does not appear to show any great interest in her.
Later, an English vulcanologist arrives and is instantly smitten with the girl. They soon begin screwing like sex-crazed weasels and she plans on their upcoming marriage. But, the Englishman is a jerk and has no intention of marrying her--even when she becomes pregnant. When the doctor hears this, he murders the Englishman and stuffs him and his belongings into one of the volcanic vents. But despite her being jilted, the woman insists the Englishman will return one day.
Soon afterwards, the doctor is drafted and does not return for almost six years. When he does, he is obsessed with the woman and even tries to force himself on her. She refuses to marry him (who would after being pawed like that?). Later, he tells her he murdered the Englishman and she should stop waiting and marry him. She naturally reacts to this and he tries to rape her. She then tosses herself into a fire and the movie ends.
While much of the plot is quite interesting, it switches from intelligently written and compelling to stupid and inexplicable--thus reducing the film's impact. Having the doctor kill the Englishman was not a bad idea, but then to be SO obsessed and attacking the girl repeatedly made no sense--especially after he had previously shown little interest in her. Plus, her tossing herself into the fire, while cool to watch, made little sense. It's a shame because with a few tweaks, it could have been a much better film. Still, despite its flaws, it's worth seeing.
Later, an English vulcanologist arrives and is instantly smitten with the girl. They soon begin screwing like sex-crazed weasels and she plans on their upcoming marriage. But, the Englishman is a jerk and has no intention of marrying her--even when she becomes pregnant. When the doctor hears this, he murders the Englishman and stuffs him and his belongings into one of the volcanic vents. But despite her being jilted, the woman insists the Englishman will return one day.
Soon afterwards, the doctor is drafted and does not return for almost six years. When he does, he is obsessed with the woman and even tries to force himself on her. She refuses to marry him (who would after being pawed like that?). Later, he tells her he murdered the Englishman and she should stop waiting and marry him. She naturally reacts to this and he tries to rape her. She then tosses herself into a fire and the movie ends.
While much of the plot is quite interesting, it switches from intelligently written and compelling to stupid and inexplicable--thus reducing the film's impact. Having the doctor kill the Englishman was not a bad idea, but then to be SO obsessed and attacking the girl repeatedly made no sense--especially after he had previously shown little interest in her. Plus, her tossing herself into the fire, while cool to watch, made little sense. It's a shame because with a few tweaks, it could have been a much better film. Still, despite its flaws, it's worth seeing.