The Journey

The Hungarian Rebellion of 1956, fostered partly by bellicose rhetoric from the USA about 'rolling back the red tide' started and was left to wither without any support at all from the west, other than taking in refugees. I remember my third grade class taking in one such during the mid year. The satellite countries of Eastern Europe would have to wait until the Soviet Union collapsed for liberation. Then we always did not get what we'd like, for reference look at the former Yugoslavia.

The Journey is a film about a group of foreigners trapped within Hungary and seeking a way out. After being stuck in the Budapest Airport for a few days, the group is informed the Russians will provide transport to the Austrian border by bus. But one of the foreigners, a titled Englishwoman played by Deborah Kerr is traveling with Jason Robards, Jr., who is under an assumed name. Robards is Hungarian, a scientist and a supporter of the revolution.

They are stopped again near the border and detained in Kurt Kaszner's hotel while the Russians check on the passengers. Robards arouses Russian Major Yul Brynner's suspicions, but his hormones are aroused by Deborah Kerr.

Anatole Litvak who was Hungarian when he was handling the politics was on firm ground in The Journey. When he got into the romantic, sad to say he was hearkening back to his days in Hollywood when he directed a lot of romantic schmaltz. Try as I might I could not believe that Yul would be deterred in his duty, his character is a lot like Bounine the man he played in Anastasia, also directed by Litvak.

The characters of the passengers of the travelers is also interesting. Robert Morley was not playing for laughs as he does not do a John Bull type Englishman, but he's caring confidante for Kerr. I did like Anne Jackson, pregnant with two children traveling with her and her husband E.G. Marshall. Anne's character has a practical turn of mind and everyone should have been listening to her. Anouk Aimee is also good as a humorless and resolute Hungarian rebel.

And this review is dedicated to Veronica Laszlo wherever she is, the little girl who joined my third grade class way back in the day, when she fled Hungary. I hope she had a good life in America.

Whatever the inspiration for this story (the aforementioned Blixen reference is fascinating), as a movie it's maybe the best Cold War drama I've ever seen. Like "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold," "The Journey" transcends its genre. The basic plot is about the personal empathy between men and women, some ordinary, some extraordinary, and how it prevails when confronted by political hostility and cultural dislocation. Nevertheless, this is a tragedy, with a final irony that is completely unexpected.

A film shot and directed with a hand so steady it would seem a revelation if any director today could do anything close. Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr and Jason Robards are terrific. The staging of the actors - the performances - this is film making at its best.

Anatole Litvak directed the 1959 film, "The Journey," starring Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr, Robert Morley, E.G. Marshall, Anne Jackson, and Jason Robards.

The film takes place during the 1956 Hungarian uprising and concerns a group of travelers having problems getting out of Budapest because of political problems in that part of the world. They are put on a bus to Vienna, but the Russians, led by Major Surov (Brynner) confiscate their passports and hold them for questioning. One of the passengers is Paul Fleming (Robards), posing as an American but in reality a Hungarian freedom fighter, whom the major believes is being smuggled out of Hungary. In fact, Lady Ashmore (Kerr) is hiding him. She becomes the focus of the Major's romantic attentions.

Very good film that conveys the tension and hassle of the Cold War, and all of the performances are wonderful. Brynner is particularly excellent as the passionate Major who isn't all bad, and Anne Jackson gives a realistic, powerful performance as a pregnant woman who doesn't want her child born in a Communist country.

Good script, good director, good cast - there should be more films like this. Highly recommended.

This Film has such a Following! yet you cant buy it on DVD!

The Journey, is so engaging, that I can watch it again and again. The Russian Folk Songs, Fantastic! and Yul singing!

The Gypsy music, the intrigue.

The shear magnetism of the Magnificent YUL who comes across with an array of emotions.Powerful, proud, vulnerable against the gracious, serene Deborah Kerr. This film is even on view on youtube, its that potent. I just wish some one could tell me the name of those Russian folk songs! Especially the drinking ones.And I wish there was a recording of Yul singing them..(but thats asking a bit too much isn't it!)

So I emailed TCM Turner Movies on tcmmailuk@turner.com and asked them why they hadnt released it on DVD, Im awaiting an answer. They are mad, because lots of us would love a copy for a present wouldn't we?

Cheers.