Power and its Price (1956)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | The power and its price |
| Original title | The Power and the Prize |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1956 |
| length | 98 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Henry Koster |
| script | Robert Ardrey based on the novel of the same name by Howard Swiggett |
| production | Nicholas Nayfack |
| music | Bronislau caper |
| camera | George J. Folsey |
| cut | George Boemler |
| occupation | |
| |
Power and its Price is an American feature film melodrama by Henry Koster, set in a big business environment . The main roles are played by Robert Taylor and Elisabeth Müller .
action
Cliff Barton, the ambitious top manager of a US steel company, has come a long way under the leadership of Patriarch George Salt: He has become the direct deputy of his sponsor, a beefy guy with a massive presence and a strong will to assert himself. Soon, it is planned, the two men want to get closer together, because Barton is supposed to marry Salt's niece Niki. Before that, however, Cliff is sent on a business trip to London to close an important deal that will make World Metals, the steel company's name, even bigger and more powerful. Once Cliff and Niki are married, the old patriarch plans, one day he can calmly retire to his old age, because that way the company will remain in family hands, under the best management. Barton's British negotiating partner, old Mr. Carew, has no inkling of Salt's unscrupulous business methods, which Cliff has now also deeply internalized. World Metals is by no means aiming at a merger of the two companies; rather, the boss intends to take over the English competition in a hostile manner at home. In addition, Cliff Barton met an Austrian émigré named Miriam Linka in London who had earned a reputation as a pianist.
Cliff is not enthusiastic about the fact that George Salt's assignment is to riot the honorable Mr. Carew. He's torn between being loyal to his top boss or pouring clean wine to Carew about his true business intentions. To make matters worse, Cliff falls in love with Miriam and convinces her to go home with him to the USA to marry him there. Old Salt is furious when Cliff obviously does not intend to follow him on two issues. As instructed, he has neither ripped off Carew nor is he planning to marry Salt's niece. George Salt now begins to intrigue heavily against his vice. He tries to make people believe that it was Cliff who wanted to deceive the British and also spreads the rumor that Miriam is not only a prostitute but also a staunch communist who intends to infiltrate America. Under the healing influence of the noble Miriam, Cliff begins to defend himself against all accusations and for the first time fundamentally questions the entire business conduct of George Salt and thus also his own. Finally, there is a final power struggle and a classic father-and-son duel between two men who are not even related to each other.
Production notes
The power and its price was the only Hollywood excursion of the Swiss Elisabeth Müller, who is already firmly established in German film. She made this film between the two German melodramas Rosen for Bettina and Beloved Corinna . The world premiere took place on September 26, 1956 in New York, the German premiere on November 5, 1957.
The buildings were designed by William A. Horning , executed by Hans O. Peters . Edwin B. Willis provided the equipment , Helen Rose designed the costumes. William Tuttle was a makeup artist, A. Arnold Gillespie created the special effects. Wesley C. Miller was responsible for the sound .
The film was a commercial failure. The manufacturing cost was $ 1,455,000, but the revenue was only $ 1,070,000.
Reviews
“It's a pretty hackneyed story, in fact, that Robert Ardrey dragged over from a Howard Swiggett novel into the current flannel suit style. The uncontrolled outrage and revenge of Big Daddy boss Burl Ives against the girl because her admirer screwed up a job [...] corresponds more to a romantic custom than a credible presentation of power techniques. […] But Mr. Ardrey wrote the script smoothly, with sharp and sophisticated words, and he presented the business maneuvers in a clear and dramatic setting. [...] But most effective in this film is Miss Mueller's cultured charm, her excellent nuances of expression and, indeed, the good acting skills of everyone involved. […] Henry Koster staged this film crisply and, with a lucky hand, put it together in cinema scope black and white. "
"Sporadic effective study of great men in companies and their private lives."
"Unconvincing fairy tale from the business world to skilfully spend time with, although Taylor is a humorless hero."
"A respectable Hollywood melodrama that criticizes capitalist practices in big business without offending and is content with effectively superficial problem solving."
Web link
- Illustrious Corpses in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Power and its price. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .