Thunder in the Sun

If we want Hollywood to get historical and ethnic content correct, then there are precious few movies ever made in Hollywood that are above reproach. Come on! This is just a grade B Hollywood western, and when I saw it back when it came out, I was so entertained and moved by it that I remember it even to this day as a first rate entertainment with unforgettable thrills and spills. Who really cares if the Basques and the native Americans were portrayed accurately? When did Hollywood EVER do that for any group? The reason I looked the movie up here in the first place was because I thought about it for the thousandth time since I saw it and decided it is high time to watch it again. I remembered Susan Hayward (who could forget her?) but couldn't remember who the male lead was. Jeff Chandler, I see now. I just want to say that while I sincerely respect and understand the criticism of the typical Hollywood shallow, thoughtless approach to ethnic and historical accuracy, if you can get past that -- as you MUST do if you're ever going to enjoy these old flicks for what they are worth -- the movie is a whole lot of fun to watch.

Very odd western about a wagon train of Basque immigrants making its way through Indian territory with a cargo of special vines so they can start a vineyard in the "new world." About the only ones who are even remotely convincing as Basques are Italian actor Fortunio Bonanova and French actor Jacques Bergerac--another oddity, since while there are some French Basques (the vast majority come from Spain), there are none in Italy. Nothing much really happens until near the end of the picture, when the Basques fight off an Indian attack with their bizarre method of bouncing off of rocks and boulders like mountain goats while emitting screams that seem to be a combination of a "Rebel yell" and hog calling. It confuses the hell out of the Indians (not to mention the audience). If you've ever had an urge to see a Basque western, this is the movie for you. If the sight of overweight, middle-aged guys dressed in white shirts and berets trampolining off of boulders the size of Buicks interests you, this is your movie. Otherwise, don't bother.

Susan Hayward was a great star and always a great treat to watch the dynamic redhead from Brooklyn in any film. This film co stars Susan Hayward and her friend of many years Jeff Chandler. Together Hayward and Chandler make a great team and a very enjoyable film to watch. Susan Hayward was always a tough lady never afraid of anything and in fact was insistent that her dialogue not portray weakness. To see a Hayward movie like this is to be aware of the back story of any Hayward film: Susan Hayward carefully controlled her successful image. I believe this film was shot right after her classic I Want To Live and was given a quick release, and faded from view, and is not highly regarded as a Susan Hayward film. I disagree, any film with the Tough Lady from Brooklyn is good to watch. And Susan Hayward by all regards not at all sentimental in real life was both fond of Chandler and mourned Jeff Chandler. Postscript: Susan Hayward like many top female stars preferred certain cameramen, and in this film Ms. Hayward's favorite Stanley Cortez is cinematographer.

As we all know Susan Hayward died far too young of brain cancer during her dying days, Katharine Hepburn paid a visit to the dying star. The Great Garbo also paid a visit to the dying Hayward such as the respect Ms. Hayward was regarded by her peers. Barbara Stanwyck also a friend sent flowers. Roz Russell appeared on a radio show the day after Ms. Hawyard died and mourned her friend Ms. Hayward.

I had heard from friends that this was a film about Basques. Since the film had been gone off the circuit, I was eager to see it when it reappeared on TV. Being an anthropologist and ethnic Basque, I was most interested in how Hollywood would treat this subject. Well, after my initial disappointment and shock at not only a limp-witted story and a mediocre performance by Susan Hayward, my real dismay was at the presence of the French Basque, Jacques Bergerac for going along with a misinformed and misinforming depicition my (i.e., our) people. The Basque traditions depicted in the film were totally fictious and laughable. How Bergerac picked up his paycheck with no feeling of shame is a mystery to me. Hayward was always beautiful and exciting. But seeing her dance a Flamenco (not ever a Basque tradition) and hearing her make a bad attempt at a French accent, was disheartening. Chandler emoted as usual, no surprise...but the only thunder in Thunder in the Sun, were my groans of complaint and disgust at this bad parody of the culture of my ancestors.

I'm totally agreed with "Artzau". I'm a native Basque living in my country and I wonder how far the ignorance can arrive when it treat our culture. What in the hell is that flamenco stuff among Basques? Instead those Basque couldn't speak Spanish 'cause they were from the other side of the Pyrenees. They use our "irrintzi" (a call shout) in a grotesque mode as a code for literal communication, our traditional sports (Jai Alai = Basque ball) as weapons, etc.

The movie is racist with the Native American people (as the most of Western films) and a sad example of the little respect of/from the US to the other cultures (american Indians or European Indians included) in the world.

Hope you to understand our disagree about this point and feel free to know our culture and people in the wide list of Basque Centers all around the world.