The Left Hand of God

Full of surprises
Lots of actors that are famous for other movies are going against type casting here: super fun. It’s a crazy plot and every character is a stereotype – but some surprising generosity in casting Asians as Asians – almost all the time – even the cringe scenes of adorable children singing are mercifully over soon, with some normal kid behavior involved. The really great cast do their best with the script – especially Agnes Morehead as a kind, empathetic soul – who would have thought the (usually) mean old witch had so much beauty to share? Campy fun. Humphrey Bogart had me from the scene of riding a donkey straight into a river, his own stunt. Real professionalism, very OH. Not afraid to look completely stupid. And get wet.

Summa Cum Laude for Tierney and Bogart!
Great movies were made during the time of this production—without gratuitous sex (or its overtures) and without undue violence. Bogart and Tierney were superb in their roles, and quite touching. I was sad to learn that it was during this production that Miss Tierney (how wonderfully beautiful she was) —it was during this time that she began manifesting deep depression which plagued her most of her life. I thought, how utterly sad; but how wonderful (as I read) that Mr. Bogart was such an understanding and benevolent gentleman, who, when needed, often fed Miss Tierney her lines, as she had great difficulty in some scenes. The acting was somewhat understated, which, to me, made the roles all the more to be cherished an lauded in this day of violence, untoward behavior, and everything seemingly disturbed and evil.. I will watch this movie again, and that is how I know that I appreciate a film. Look at the beautiful Tierney and . . . well, I don’t know what else to say, except just to see her made the film worthwhile for me. I highly recommend it for those who long for normalcy in film roles and for acting that says what it should say without “grabbing” one by the throat!

Now that I’ve said that I guess you’ll know I loved this movie
First, let me be honest, I am a full blown Bogart fan. I would pay to rent a movie with Bogart doing nothing more than sitting in a chair, drinking a scotch and smoking a chesterfield. Now that I’ve said that I guess you’ll know I loved this movie. Not only was Bogart, well, Bogart, but he was Bogart as a priest! Directed by Edward Dmytrk who also directed Bogie in The Caine Mutiny this is one of those hidden gems. Though one of Humphrey Bogarts lesser known films, ii is one you should not miss. I loved the scenery and seeing Bogart on horseback. I don’t know why this movie is not as well known as some of his others. I loved it! It has a very good story and a wonderful leading lady, Jean Tierney. I loved the chemistry between the two of them in this film. If you love the old black and whites this one will not disappoint you. How do I know? Two words, Humphrey Bogart.

The Left Hand Of God
They just don’t make movies like this anymore. Bogie masquerades as a Catholic Priest,but is a former mercenary for a Chinese warlord played by Lee J. Cobb. Bogart is attempting to escape from the clutches of Cobb for a better life. He stops at a Chinese mission operated by Gene Tierney, EG Marshall and Agnes Moorehead and finds a quieter more compassionate style of life . I wont give a complete synopsis of the film, you can look to other reviews for that. But I’ll tell you it’s suspenseful and exciting how Bogart pulls off playing the role of priest while tangling with Cobb’s Chinese ruthless henchmen throughout the movie.There’s a forbidden romance that exists between Tierney and Bogart that touches the romantic in all of us. A judo fighting Priest that carries a 1911 45acp pistol under his jacket, now that’s classic Hollywood!

DVD de bonne qualité, je suis satisfait de mon achat.

A posteriori le titre du film The left hand of god prend une consonance ironique quand on connait les problèmes auxquels fit face son réalisateur, Edward Dmytryk, lors de la chasse aux sorcières initiée par McCarthy fin des années 40 aux Etats-Unis. Mis en scène en 1955, soit 4 ans après son retour à Hollywood et son témoignage qui causa l’arrestation de certains de ses amis, son film pourrait être lu, en filigrane, comme une exploration de cette douloureuse expérience, le scénario d’Alfred Hayes (inspiré du roman de William E.Barrett) explorant les thématiques du masque, de la duplicité et in fine du renoncement. Bogey y interprète James Carnody, un mercenaire à la solde d’un seigneur de la guerre chinois, qui, las de sa condition, prend la poudre d’escampette sous les oripeaux d’un homme d’église pour se réfugier dans une mission. Fort de belles idées de mise en scène (à l’instar du plan pris entre les jambes du tireur qui vient de mortellement toucher le prêtre dont Carmody va usurper l’identité), La main gauche du seigneur pose également certaines questions relatives tant au sens du devoir qu’à la foi ou à l’absence de foi. La distribution, prestigieuse, rehausse encore le niveau de ce qui aurait pu être un quasi huis clos avec, autour de Bogey, la sublime Gene Tierney, la caustique Agnes Morehead et Lee J.Cobb. Last but not least, l’on ne peut que saluer la qualité divine de la copie ici proposée (format 2.55-16/9 compatible 4/3) offrant le choix entre la vf (mono) et la vost (stéréo). Deux compléments accompagnent ce don des Dieux : une présentation d’Edward Dmytryk signée par l’incontournable Patrick Brion et un portrait trop linéaire de Gene Tierney (décidément seuls les Anglo-saxons ont le savoir faire) qui personnellement m’aura donné envie de me replonger dans l’autobiographie de la comédienne: mademoiselle vous devriez faire du cinéma. Ce qui, à la réflexion, n’est déjà pas si mal !