Raw Wind in Eden

This is one of the mostly male oriented "moody" adventure films that were so popular in the 1950's.. it has excellent casting in Jeff Chandler and Esther Williams, some say TOO good ... that this film was beneath their skill level and was nothing more than a simple showcase for them. However, I like the story (it HAS one) and the setting.. the location is as much a star as the actors ... It is well done. It is a basic story about basic, not perfect, people and this is the strength of the film.

Made in Italy, and financed on the cheap by Universal, "Raw Wind in Eden" isn't a particularly good-looking movie, but there are some compensations for its tatty look. Esther Williams plays a surly fashion model working in Rome who flies off on a date with a handsome millionaire; forced down on a small island near Sardinia--inhabited by a gypsy girl, her father, and a reclusive American--the couple renovate a boat in hopes of being rescued. Tedious romantic adventure, albeit one with a jaunty pace, has enough tart lines in the script to hold interest in the characters. Performances from both Williams (who gets to swim) and Jeff Chandler aren't too bad, though the filmmakers have no idea how to end this saga, and the hectic last reel is a squashy mess. Still, you have to give Esther credit: even while stranded in the sticks, she manages several changes in her hairstyle and goes through a myriad of colorful outfits. *1/2 from ****

Acting: ** Characters: ** Cinematography: *** Concept: * Dialog: * Music: ** Pacing: *** Special effects/design: N/A Story: * A film is basically composed of premise/function/background (or content) and form, the latter element being subdivisible into several aesthetic components with a technical background, namely: (i) Acting (ii) Characters (iii) Cinematography (iv) General concept (v) Dialogues (vi) Music (vii) Rhythm (ix) Design and special effects (x) Plot.

Director Richard Wilson creates a super heated atmosphere of desire in this erotic story set in an exotic locale. Esther Williams reveals a different side to herself as she sets the screen afire in this film. She is all woman and smolders with a sensuality seldom captured in cinema. Jeff Chandler is excellent playing opposite her volcanic beauty. Williams not only proves herself as an actor of consequence, she seems to actually become the good time girl looking for passion and all she can get of it. It is a memorable performance and one that no one will forget who witnesses it explode like a fire ball before their eyes.

I really enjoyed this movie, A moral piece, with delectable Esther Williams, smoking Jeff, The classy rich good looking educated spoiled rich boy, A Drop out in life to find out his truth. Exploding into his world of escape all that he had ran from to the ends of the earth "The beautiful born poor model about to hook an easy life" The dilemma that befalls both he and she, go with your heart, flow with your passion. Follow the buck. This might have been a B movie; it might had been made on a shoestring budget. I found that on sight poverty wild style of living only enhanced the story line, It branded me "this" movie into my mind for all time. I saw it the first time over thirty years ago, and I still remember it with a smile. A very good movie, only for the steak movie consumer of moral/lust/love/ with a seasoning of ironic twist at the end. I really loved it can't you tell!!!!!