Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951)
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86% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
78% of users liked it
(534 ratings)
Many cineastes consider Pandora and the Flying Dutchman as the masterpiece of filmmaker Albert Lewin, while others write the film off as a pretentious bore. Ava Gardner stars as Pandora Reynolds, a predatory creature who destroys the lives of all men who've been unfortunate enough to fall in… More Many cineastes consider Pandora and the Flying Dutchman as the masterpiece of filmmaker Albert Lewin, while others write the film off as a pretentious bore. Ava Gardner stars as Pandora Reynolds, a predatory creature who destroys the lives of all men who've been unfortunate enough to fall in love with her. Enter Hendrick van der Zee (James Mason), a mystical figure who proves to be Pandora's match. It turns out that van der Zee is the legendary 17th Flying Dutchman, whose spirit is doomed to wander the earth until he is able to find a woman willing to love him with all her heart -- and thereby sacrifice her own life. Further elaboration would spoil the film for potential Lewin enthusiasts. Suffice it to say that the director's many cinematic obsessions (cat figurines, Egyptology, obscure literary allusions) are exercised to their fullest potential. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Albert Lewin
- Written By
- Albert Lewin
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Oct 15, 1951 Limited
- Studio
- MGM
Critic Reviews
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Trevor Johnston, Time Out
Passionate, classical, mysterious and surreal all at once.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Lacks imagination.
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Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Its unique oddball blend of fatalistic Hemingway-esque masculinity, swoony romance and mythology, literary allusions...and grab bag of styles...makes Pandora and the Flying Dutchman nearly as hypnotic as the romance it retells. [Blu-ray]
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Sean Axmaker, Parallax View
... there is a grace to the literary elegance and poetic dialogue of his script, and to the rich mix of European history, myths ancient and contemporary and Spanish culture...
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Derek Malcolm, This is London
Jack Cardiff's superb Technicolor cinematography looks as beautiful as Gardner and that's substantially the reason the film has stood the test of time.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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James Mason
as Hendrick van der Zee
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Ava Gardner
as Pandora Reynolds
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Nigel Patrick
as Stephen Cameron
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Sheila Sim
as Janet Fielding
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Marius Goring
as Reggie Demarest
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Harold Warrender
as Geoffrey Fielding
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Mario Cabré
as Juan Montalvo
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John Laurie
as Angus
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Patricia Raine
as Peggy Ford
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Marguerite D'Alvarez
as Senora Montalvo
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La Pillina
as Dancer
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Abraham Sofaer
as Judge
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Lily Molnar
as Geoffrey's Housekeeper
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Antonio Martín
as Member of Montalvo's Quadrilla
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Pamela Mason
as Jenny
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Eddie Leslie
as Doctor
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Christina Forbes
as Nurse