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 (prologue) (as Uni Apollon)
Álex Nova	...	Don Esteban Ferragut (prologue) (as Alex Nova)
Kada-Abd-el-Kader	...	Don Esteban's Son - Ulysses (prologue)
Hughie Mack	...	Caragol (prologue)
Alice Terry	...	Freya Talberg
Antonio Moreno	...	Ulysses Ferragut
Mademoiselle Kithnou	...	Ferragut's Wife - Dona Cinta (as Mle. Kithnou)
Mickey Brantford	...	Ferragut's Son - Esteban (as Michael Brantford)
Rosita Ramírez	...	Ferragut's 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:

infidelity | femme fatale | possessive female | manipulative female | female jealousy | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 August 1926 (USA)

Also Known As:

Our Sea

Filming Locations:

Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Gross USA:

$620,079, 31 December 1927

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Following political pressure from the UK, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer withdrew this film from British territories following it's initial theatrical run.

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Quotes

Count Kaledine: What of the Spaniard, Ferragut? What does he think?
Doctor Fedelmann: Men who are drugged with love do not think.

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Alternate Versions

Turner Classic Movies showed a version with an uncredited piano score that ran 102 minutes.

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Connections

Featured in The South Bank Show: Michael Powell (1986)

User Reviews

Rex Ingram's Tale of Brave Ulysses

Handsome seaman Antonio Moreno (as Ulysses Ferragut) grows up enthralled by the legendary goddess "Amphitrite". The bewitching blonde is described as "the mother and sweetheart of all Mediterranean sailors," and Mr. Moreno keeps a portrait of her in his Barcelona home. There, Moreno lives comfortably with dark-haired wife Kithnou (as Cinta) and their beloved son Michael Brantford (as Esteban). Moreno captains his freighter ship "Mare Nostrum" (Latin for "Our Sea") along the Mediterranean while his wife worries about their son's frequently absent father...

To be a better father, Moreno decides to give up the lovely "Amphitrite" illusion and his seafaring to spend more time at home. This would leave the "Mare Nostrum" in the hands of Frederic Mariotti (as Toni) and obese Christian cook Hughie Mack (as Caragol). But, two things alter Moreno's plans. First, the Great War (aka World War I) begins, making his shipping business more lucrative and important. Then, Moreno meets alluring Alice Terry (as Freya Talberg), who appears to be the sea goddess "Amphitrite" come to life. Alas, Ms. Terry is no goddess, she's spy for Germany!

Continuing to strive for art, director Rex Ingram slowed down his dramatic pace and vowed to film exclusively outside of Hollywood for "Mare Nostrum". It had all the ingredients of a blockbuster - successful director (Ingram), handsome star (Moreno), proved source material (Ibanez), and popular female (Terry) - all done at a healthy budget for MGM distribution. Trouble is, the film simply does not deliver the anticipated excitement. While it seems to presently be lacking its original soundtrack, the surviving print is great condition. It's beautifully shot in France, Italy and Spain.

****** Mare Nostrum (2/15/26) Rex Ingram ~ Antonio Moreno, Alice Terry, Hughie Mack, Mickey Brantford