Soldier of Fortune
Soldier of Fortune

Soldier of Fortune

1955Movie96 minEnglish

An American woman arrives in Hong Kong to unravel the mystery of her missing photographer husband. After getting nowhere with the authorities, she is led by some underground characters to an American soldier of fortune working in the area against the Communists. He promises to help find her husband.

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Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Director: Edward DmytrykGenres: Adventure, Film-Noir, Romance, Thriller

Plot Summary

In 1950s Hong Kong, a wealthy and ruthless businessman named Hank Sterling uses his vast influence and resources to rescue a married woman, Jane Eden, from a Chinese prison after she is framed by her husband, Louis Morocco. Sterling is clearly infatuated with Jane and undertakes the dangerous mission primarily for his own selfish desires, while her husband connives from afar. The film explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the morally ambiguous nature of its characters.

Critical Reception

Soldier of Fortune received a mixed reception upon its release. While some critics praised its exotic Hong Kong setting and the star power of Clark Gable and Susan Hayward, others found the plot convoluted and the performances uneven. The film was a commercial success, benefiting from its star cast and thrilling adventure elements.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its atmospheric Hong Kong locations and Gable's commanding presence.
  • Criticized for a predictable and somewhat melodramatic plot.
  • The chemistry between the leads was noted, though some found the romantic subplot underdeveloped.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'Soldier of Fortune' is not readily available through aggregated Google user reviews. However, its commercial success suggests it appealed to audiences looking for star-driven adventure films of the era.

Fun Fact

The film was one of the first Hollywood productions to be extensively filmed on location in Hong Kong, capturing the city's vibrant atmosphere in the mid-1950s.

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TMDB Reviews

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Susan Hayward's husband has been detained while taking photographs in China and so she tries to illicit the help of Hong Kong based "entrepreneur" Clark Gable to try and rescue him. Despite some initial hostility, he falls for her and deter...