Mare Nostrum (1926)

The story of a female German spy who willingly sacrifices her life for her country.

Director:

Rex Ingram

Writers:

Vicente Blasco Ibáñez (by), Willis Goldbeck (scenario)

Stars:

Apollon Uni, Álex Nova, Kada-Abd-el-Kader

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Apollon Uni	...	The Triton (as Uni Apollon)
Álex Nova	...	Don Esteban Ferragut (as Alex Nova)
Kada-Abd-el-Kader	...	His Son - Ulysses
Hughie Mack	...	Caragol
Alice Terry	...	Freya Talberg
Antonio Moreno	...	Ulysses Ferragut
Mademoiselle Kithnou	...	His Wife - Dona Cinta (as Mle. Kithnou)
Mickey Brantford	...	Their Son - Esteban (as Michael Brantford)
Rosita Ramírez	...	Their Niece - Pepita
Frédéric Mariotti	...	Toni - the Mate (as Fredrick Mariotti)
Pâquerette	...	Doctor Fedelmann (as Mme. Paquerette)
Fernand Mailly	...	Count Kaledine
Andrews Engelmann	...	Submarine Commander (as André von Engelman)

Storyline

German spies, using Freya Talberg as bait, convince neutral Spaniard Ulysses Ferragut to navigate a ship to refuel German U-boats, telling him they would never fire on passenger ships. But one torpedoes the ship his son, Esteban, was on, killing him and many others. He sets out to punish the ones responsible.

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Plot Keywords:

spy | mediterranean | world war one | mediterranean sea | based on novel

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Genres:

War

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 February 1926 (USA)

Also Known As:

Our Sea

Filming Locations:

Madrid, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min 102 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Powell worked as an apprentice on this film, a position secured for him by Harry Lachman.

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Connections

Referenced in Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime: The Ambassador's Boots (1983)

User Reviews

Mare Nostrum floats gracefully.

Since he was a child Ulysses Farragut had been in love with the sea embodied in the legend of the beautiful Ampitetre. Against his fathers wishes he grows up to captain his own boat The Mare Nostrum but as blissful as his life on the waves is it takes him away from his family. When The War breaks out the lucrative business of shipping as a neutral nation (Spain) calls for even more of his time. While on a tour of ruins he meets a German spy who fulfills his childhood ideal. She seduces him and he in turn agrees to assist re-fueling U boats seeking military targets. His actions result in catastrophe however when it sinks a passenger ship. Haunted by guilt and the need to exact revenge Farragut pursues those responsible.

Shot on location in Europe Mare Nostrum has an impressive look filled with the rich attention to detail that silent film director Rex Ingram and cameraman George Seitz (Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) excelled at. Along with Von Stroheim he provided the era with the most lush and textured canvases and Mare Nostrum is a gallery of splendid landscapes, interiors and portraits to behold. Given its splendid look and fine chemistry and performances from Antonio Moreno and Alice Terry it moves along at a leisurely but absorbing pace. The supporting cast is also up to task with a trio of effective villains singling out Paquerette's Dr. Feldman.

Its a pity that Ingram retired from directing at an early age, it would have been interesting to see more extensive sound work which he did only briefly. As far as cameraman Seitz he would go to work on a regular basis with legendary directors Preston Sturges and Billy Wilder in their peak. I'd say he's a lot more important to the history than given credit for.