Movie spotlight
In the carnival in Spain in the beginning of the Twentieth Century, the exiled republican Antonio Galvan comes from Paris masquerade to enjoy the party and visit his friend Capt. Don Pasqual 'Pasqualito' Costelar. However, he flirts with the mysterious Concha Perez and they schedule to meet each other later. When Antonio meets Pasqualito, his old friend discloses his frustrated relationship with the promiscuous Concha and her greedy mother and how his life was ruined by his obsession for the beautiful demimondaine. Pasqualito makes Antonio promise that he would not see Concha. However, when Antonio meets Concha, she seduces him and the long friendship between Antonio and Pasqualito is disrupted
In turn-of-the-century Barcelona, the alluring and manipulative Concha Perez, known as 'La Conga de Oro', toys with the affections of various men, including wealthy suitors and a former lover. Her schemes and romantic entanglements lead to escalating drama and consequences as she navigates the social scene with cunning charm. The story culminates in a dramatic confrontation and a surprising resolution to her intricate web of relationships.
Josef von Sternberg's final collaboration with Marlene Dietrich, 'The Devil Is a Woman', was met with mixed reviews and significant controversy due to its suggestive themes and perceived anti-feminine stance, leading to its suppression in many markets for decades. Despite its initial reception and censorship issues, it is now recognized as a visually stunning and artistically significant film, showcasing Dietrich's iconic performance and Sternberg's distinctive directorial style.
Visually striking with a commanding performance from Marlene Dietrich.
Despite its controversial nature and initial censorship, the film is a testament to Sternberg's distinct cinematic vision.
Explores complex themes of manipulation and desire with a unique, albeit challenging, narrative.
Google audience: Audience reception is not widely documented due to the film's historical censorship, but it is appreciated by cinephiles for its artistic merit and Dietrich's performance.
The film was heavily censored upon its release and banned in several countries, including the United States, for its perceived immorality and suggestive content, and was not widely available for viewing for many years.
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Marlene Dietrich is on great form as the manipulative "Concha" in this engaging, risqué, comedy drama set in Spain at the turn of the 20th century. It is related by Lionel Atwill's "Pasqualito" who regales the young "Galvan" (Ceśar Romero) ...
Very few aesthetic delights of the post-Code era tantalize and linger long afterwards in the mind as much as films from the Marlene Dietrich/Josef Von Sternberg partnership, and this, thankfully kept in Dietrich's vault as it was the favour...