With terrific cinematography and the opportunity to see two screen divas (Claudette Colbert and Rosalind Russell) together, this foreign legion adventure is a lot of fun. Ronald Colman stars as a British man who enlists to remain free while trying to prove his innocence in a crime his brother committed. He encounters the alluring cafe entertainer Cigarette (Colbert) and after an auspicious beginning (tossing knives at each other), they become lovers.
But when they're separated, he falls in love with the uppercrust British heiress Rosalind Russell (convincing with her accent, sounding a bit like Merle Oberon) and finds out that Russell's uncle is aware of who he is. This only serves to make him more determined than ever to prove his innocence. When he goes off to battle, Colbert and Russell encounter each other and the noble Russell must convince Colbert to do all she can to save Colman from a certain death.
This complex action picture has many memorable moments, but it's the one scene between the two leading ladies that stands out. Colbert, so deeply in love with Colman to the point to where she'd rather see him killed than loose him, must make a sacrifice to ensure he finds justice, and this leads to the major final battle of guns and hearts.
With a sensational ensemble including Victor McLaglen, Nigel Bruce, C. Henry Gordon and John Carradine, this has a lot to offer in the way of story, star power, scope and sensual romance. Colman is terrific, but this is one time where he's actually upstaged in a man's picture by the two women. Usually, the female co-stars in films like this are relegated to waving goodbye and wringing their hands with worry as they learn about the action their man is involved in. That gives this story a unique twist and makes it one of the great sleepers of the 1930's, a big hit in its day but somewhat forgotten now.
But when they're separated, he falls in love with the uppercrust British heiress Rosalind Russell (convincing with her accent, sounding a bit like Merle Oberon) and finds out that Russell's uncle is aware of who he is. This only serves to make him more determined than ever to prove his innocence. When he goes off to battle, Colbert and Russell encounter each other and the noble Russell must convince Colbert to do all she can to save Colman from a certain death.
This complex action picture has many memorable moments, but it's the one scene between the two leading ladies that stands out. Colbert, so deeply in love with Colman to the point to where she'd rather see him killed than loose him, must make a sacrifice to ensure he finds justice, and this leads to the major final battle of guns and hearts.
With a sensational ensemble including Victor McLaglen, Nigel Bruce, C. Henry Gordon and John Carradine, this has a lot to offer in the way of story, star power, scope and sensual romance. Colman is terrific, but this is one time where he's actually upstaged in a man's picture by the two women. Usually, the female co-stars in films like this are relegated to waving goodbye and wringing their hands with worry as they learn about the action their man is involved in. That gives this story a unique twist and makes it one of the great sleepers of the 1930's, a big hit in its day but somewhat forgotten now.