Gorgeous US/Spanish co-production in brilliant Technicolor/VistaVision photography with wonderful scenarios , dances and songs . Enjoyable film very moving in its style with a superb traditional and Flamenco soundtrack and unique photography style , beginning with paintings by Goya, Velázquez or El Greco in its credit titles , dealing with a predictable romance as it is precipitous in its passion . This is a ¨Road movie¨ in which the starring couple travel through several Spanish locations , showing a real sightseeing of the marvellous cities and villages . It deals with Merritt Blake (Richard Kiley) , an American architect who comes to Spain . The US architect traveling in Madrid to present a hotel project but his idea is not well accepted since the construction that he proposes is out of tune with the context. Along the way , he attempts to discover the essence of the country, as Merritt plans a trip through Spain with the company of the secretary Mari Zarrubia (Carmen Sevilla) , a beautiful young with a past trauma. Of course , Merritt falls in love with his interpreter ; they travelogue across a number of Spanish towns but are faced by a violent gypsy (José Guardiola) , Mari's jealous fiancé , who follows them. All the glamour and excitement of the most romantic spot on earth !. Filmed on location in primitive , passionate ...where love's not a game, it's a way of life! . Madrid, Toledo , Barcelona, Segovia and the world-famous art treasures of the Prado in the splendor of VistaVision ! . To the young American it was just a kiss...but to tempestuous Mari it was a pledge !.
This romantic road movie results to be a Spanish-American co-production from Don Siegel and accredited Luis Marquina as co-director for Spanish union demands . A nice film embellished thanks to its chromatic aesthetic and a high-caliber Flamenco score , adding tourist aspects of Spain, sensual re-creations of love , passion , betrayal , and jealousy ; however , with plenty of stereotypes and clichés . A dazzling and glimmer film including a triangular love story , culture shock , and devastating Flamenco dancings and Sardanas .
Special mention for the colorful cinematography by cameraman Sam Leavitt in CinemaScope , VistaVision showing gorgeous outdoors and sighseeing from Aqueduct of Segovia and the Alcazar of Segovia , Barcelona , Toledo and anything else , while interiors shot in CEA Studios - Madrid . Adding evocative and lively musical scote by Daniele Amfitheatrof . The motion picture financed by powerful Spanish producer Benito Perojo and American Bruce Odlum , being professionally directed by Don Siegel. Donald is well known for his extensive preparation and highly efficient shooting style, which were the main influence on the directing style of his protege, Clint Eastwood . He was a splendid director who excelled in all kinds of genres as Thriller : ¨Escape from Alcatraz¨, ¨Telefon¨, ¨Madigan¨, ¨Rough cut¨, ¨Private hell¨, ¨The black windmill¨, ¨Coogan's bluff¨, ¨Jinxed¨ . Noir Film as ¨The big steal¨, ¨Riot in cell block eleven¨ . Western as ¨Flamingo Star¨, ¨The shootist¨, ¨The beguiled¨, ¨Two mules for Sister Sara¨. And the classy SciFi : ¨Invasion of body snatchers¨, among others. Rating : 6/10 . Worthwhile watching. Essential and indispensable seeing for recently deceased Carmen Sevilla fans.
