October book and film review

BOOKS

B. TRAVEN- THE LIFE BEHIND THE LEGENDS, by Karl S. Guthrie. B Traven, the author of many international best sellers including "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" and "The Death Ship" was an enigma throughout his life, which was exactly how he wanted it. He assumed many aliases and in other diverse ways disguised his true identity until he was finally tracked down in the autumn of his years, hiding in total obscurity in Mexico city. Why? Turns out B Traven was originally Ret Marut, an anarchist agitator in post WW1 Germany who was arrested by the authorities and (according to legend at least) was within 15 minutes of being executed when he managed to escape from his guards. He disappeared, and a new incarnation appeared in Mexico, writing books that have since captured the imagination of the world with their humanity and strongly libertarian bent. A fascinating read.

A FINE NIGHT FOR DYING, by Jack Higgins. A man is found drowned off the coast of southern England. Later evidence shows him to have been murdered. Enter our hero, a sort of James Bond figure, to sort out the mystery and bring the guilty to justice. Higgins's writing is very simple, but he is a highly talented story- teller, and ones attention is gripped from the outset. Unusually for me, I read it in a single sitting.

FILMS

BUTLEY (1973), D- Harold Pinter (from the play by Simon Gray). A bisexual university lecturer's life begins to unravel over the course of a day. Very stagy, as we might expect from a film adaptation of a play, but still effective, down in large part to the strong performance of the eponymous lead, played by Alan Bates. Intriguing and subtle stuff.

THE LUCKY TEXAN (1932) D-Robert W Bradbury. A young man (a very youthful John Wayne) and his grizzled associate (Gabby Hayes) nearly get cheated out of their gold mine, but come through heroically at the last. Notable for its 3 way chase between horses, a train and a car, this film rattles along like a galloping stallion. Watchable.

NINE QUEENS (2000) D- Fabian Bielinsky   An experienced conman takes on a junior assistant to effect the theft of some valuable stamps. But just who is being conned? Fascinating Argentinian offering that keeps one guessing until the final frame.

X MEN 2 (2003) D- Bryan Singer (aka X2)   Professor Xavier and his mutant cohort fight against the forces that would exterminate them. I like the X Men franchise, but somehow seem to have missed the 2nd in the series, which is shown on the television much less often than the others (why I'm not sure). It is graced, as are the others, by some very fine actors (Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen inter alia) as well as clever plotting and special effects. Give 'em a try. All of 'em.

WILD STRAWBERRIES (1957) D- Ingmar Bergman. An eminent old physician is being honoured by his old university, and decides to drive across southern Sweden to receive it in person. On the way, he undergoes a strange and magical journey into his youthful origins. I have seen this film before, just once, nearly 50 years ago and all I could remember of it was that it was brilliant. So I include it in this list, even though I usually confine myself to films I have seen for the first time. Brilliant it definitely is, as our hero finds himself mystically transported in time to his childhood and teenage years in a series of cameo experiences, not all of which are pleasant. But would that we could have such experiences ourselves... One of Bergman's greatest films.

OSS:117: CAIRO, NEST OF SPIES (2006) D- Michel Hazanavicius.  A secret agent is brought in to make peace in the Middle East (no big task there then) and somehow, by sheer elan, he manages it! Highly enjoyable spoof on the James Bond brand, funny; well acted (especially by Jean Dujardin, you'll remember him in "The Artist") and despite its apparent naivete, very knowing. Excellent.