Untamed

CinemaSerfNov 2023

2.5

"Katie" (Susan Hayward) and her husband "Shawn" (John Justin) are struggling to make a go of things on their Irish potato farm so hit on the idea of emigrating to the opportunities of Southern Africa. They arrive and soon discover that it's no easier making a living here than it was back home. She also meets up with old flame "Paul" (an unimpressive Tyrone Power) - a man of Dutch origin determined to fight the Boer cause against the ever encroaching British. Tragedy is never far from "Katie" and the film follows her rather turbulent life and relationships whilst trying to give us a little bit of a "Janet & John" on the political history of the forming of South Africa. What it actually gives us is a rather dreary, meandering, melodrama with Hayward well off her best juggling her men folk - which also includes Richard Egan's "Hout" by the mid-point - like she was spinning plates. There's little to like or admire in any of the characterisations on offer here, and although the cinematography is pretty impressive it cannot really untame this plodding will she/won't she drama that is really only improved by the occassional intervention of Agnes Moorehead's "Aggie" - perhaps the only person here who has a semblance of wits. It's too long and actually inclined to run a short scenario, reset it, then re-run it again - with a slightly different focus. I'm afraid that it's just a bit boring. Sorry.