There is an unwritten law in film-making that if you get the writing and the casting right you are on to a winner.
In this case the writer is the talented George Tabori born in Budapest of Jewish origin and certainly no stranger to oppression with eighty per cent of his 'extended' family destined to perish in Nazi concentration camps.
The casting is excellent. Deborah Kerr possesses the ability to tug at the heartstrings and does so again. Yul Brynner's film career began with a bang but subsequent years were chequered with many more misses that hits. An early hit was 'Anastasia' and its director Anatole Litvak has used his services again. His performance as the Russian major is strong and impassioned but lacks subtlety. Jason Robards Jr. makes an assured film debut and there is a small but striking appearance by Anouk Aimee as a freedom fighter. Anne Jackson has her big moment towards the end and utters the terrible truth that 'everybody has their reasons'. Although Guy de Maupassant is uncredited there is a nod to his short story 'Boule de Suif' when her fellow travellers ask Lady Ashmore to give herself to major Surov so as to speed up their travel permits. It is a pity that with so much going for it this film failed to connect with the public although I would have to say it did not engage my emotions. Referring to my earlier comment regarding the writing and casting, it seems that all laws, including unwritten ones, are there to be broken!
Review of The Journey
