Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951) is a bizarre but fascinating film. A romantic fantasy pitched at a mythological level, it's full of striking imagery, strange symbolism and excellent performances.
A group of English expatriates living in Espernza, Spain circa 1930 makes American singer Pandora Reynolds (Ava Gardner) the center of attention. Pandora stirs the lust of every man she meets, but matches their affection with cold indifference - even when some of them wind up dead. Enter Henrik van der Zee (James Mason), a melancholy Dutch sailor who finds himself drawn to Pandora, and she to him. Turns out that Henrik is the legendary Flying Dutchman, condemned to an eternity alone at sea, unless he can find a lover willing to redeem his soul through self-sacrifice.
Loosely inspired by Wagner, Pandora and the Flying Dutchman is a unique experience. It plays like a supernatural Powell and Pressburger film, with elaborate fantasy scenes, ravishing Jack Cardiff photography and an otherworldly, dreamlike feel. Director Albert Lewin provides some striking images, occasionally bordering on the surreal: the discovery of Pandora and Henrik at the beginning, milquetoast Stephen (Nigel Patrick) pushing his car off a cliff to impress Pandora, the nighttime party on a beach strewn with statuary.
Despite his baroque stylings, Lewin keeps things relatively restrained, focusing on the story and characters. The romantic entanglements could make for sloppy melodrama, but the mythological elements adds grandeur to the proceedings. Henrik's detailed flashbacks elevate the story to high tragedy. Pandora, the untamed embodiment of female sexuality, makes her an interesting match for a variety of suitors: milquetoast Stephen, flamboyant matador Juan (Mario Cabre), and suicidal Reggie (Marius Goring). Archaeologist Fielding's (Harold Warrender) narration is a bit clunky, but (along with the beautiful Spanish locations) places the story in its appropriate storybook context.
Ava Gardner gives one of her best performances, bursting with scarcely-restrained sensuality and cold, almost nihilistic indifference until the end. James Mason is the emotional anchor, making the melancholic Dutchman a truly tragic figure. Nigel Patrick (The Sound Barrier) isn't very interesting but Mario Cabre and Marius Goring (The Red Shoes) make strong impressions as Pandora's doomed admirers. Sheila Sim (A Canterbury Tale) is endearing as a girl with an unrequited crush on Stephen.
Pandora and the Flying Dutchman makes for an interesting watch. Full of beautiful images and fine performances, it's definitely an overlooked gem.
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