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The Pearl

Original title: La perla
  • 19471947
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 17m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
56,126
5,487
The Pearl (1947)
AdventureDramaRomance
The discovery of a perfect pearl forever changes the lives of a poor Mexican fisherman and his family.The discovery of a perfect pearl forever changes the lives of a poor Mexican fisherman and his family.The discovery of a perfect pearl forever changes the lives of a poor Mexican fisherman and his family.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
56,126
5,487
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Emilio Fernández
    • Writers
      • John Steinbeck(original story)
      • Emilio Fernández(screenplay)
      • Jack Wagner(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Pedro Armendáriz
      • María Elena Marqués
      • Fernando Wagner
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Emilio Fernández
    • Writers
      • John Steinbeck(original story)
      • Emilio Fernández(screenplay)
      • Jack Wagner(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Pedro Armendáriz
      • María Elena Marqués
      • Fernando Wagner
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 9 wins & 6 nominations

    Photos7

    Another Dawn (1943)
    Pedro Armendáriz and María Elena Marqués in The Pearl (1947)
    Pedro Armendáriz and María Elena Marqués in The Pearl (1947)
    Pedro Armendáriz in The Pearl (1947)
    The Pearl (1947)
    The Pearl (1947)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Pedro Armendáriz
    Pedro Armendáriz
    • Quino
    María Elena Marqués
    María Elena Marqués
    • Juana
    Fernando Wagner
    • Dealer 1
    Gilberto González
    • Aid 1
    Charles Rooner
    Charles Rooner
    • Doctor
    Juan García
    Juan García
    • Aid 2
    Alfonso Bedoya
    Alfonso Bedoya
    • Godfather
    Raúl Lechuga
    • Dealer 2
    Max Langler
    • Peasant
    Luz Alba
    Richard Anderson
    Richard Anderson
    Guillermo Calles
    Maria Elena Cuadros
    • Juanita
    Columba Domínguez
    Columba Domínguez
    Andrés Huesca
    Margarito Luna
    Pepita Morillo
    Beatriz Ramos
    • Director
      • Emilio Fernández
    • Writers
      • John Steinbeck(original story) (screenplay)
      • Emilio Fernández(screenplay)
      • Jack Wagner(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    The Pearl

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Emilio Fernández, who was in love with Olivia de Havilland, thought she was the ideal actress to play the female starring role. De Havilland never knew of his secret love, but the director was able to get the government of Mexico City to change the name of the street he grew up on to "Dulce Olivia" (Sweet Olivia).
    • Quotes

      Narrator: This is a story that old men tell to children. They aren't sure where it happened or when.

    • Alternate versions
      A short version (77') was shown in the USA, France and West Germany whereas a longer version (85 to 87') was shown in Mexico and East Germany.
    • Connections
      Alternate-language version of The Pearl (1948)

    User reviews11

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Beautifully shot and told film
    This is a wonderfully shot film whose story, while not totally believable, could serve as allegory. Perhaps the family of the Mexican fisherman-diver played by Armendariz would have been happier if he had not discovered the pearl at all, but the poverty that endangers their baby's life makes his joy at this discovery (in a good underwater scene) credible. Immediately afterward, he finds himself beset by freeloaders and robbers (including his own brother), and the spiral continues until it ends in flight, hunger, death and a sort of redemption: the pearl is hurled back into the sea that spawned it. Apart from the story, the highlight is the Mexican scenery, the village and villagers, and the skillful and evocative camera angles. As one reviewer wrote, it's unlikely a villagers' celebration would have been as elaborate as the one shown in "La Perla," but it is enjoyable. Perhaps one semi-cynical message that could be gained from this film is that if you strike it rich, tell as few people as possible.
    helpful•2
    2
    • opusv5
    • Sep 15, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 12, 1947 (Mexico)
    • Countries of origin
      • Mexico
      • United States
    • Languages
      • Spanish
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Biser
    • Filming locations
      • Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
    • Production companies
      • Film Asociados Mexico-Americanos
      • Águila Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 17 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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