Il ribelle dei tropici

There are lots of fascinating location scenes set in the jungles, countryside and towns of Brazil, but the story about the the native boy (Sabu!) who is brought up river to civilisation, is rather clumsily told. Most of the clumsiness stems from the (mainly) frightfully British cast who unconvincingly play Brazilians. Some attempt native accents, while some carry on as though they're in Dickensian melodramas. Speaking of 'carry on', Charles Hawtrey plays a beleaguered servant rather well. Despite the clunks, there's a lot to be admired in this film. It couldn't have been easy to shoot in the South American jungles of 1947, let alone when you're directing your first feature film (Derek Twist). Hats off to Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger for having a go. Check out Bibi Ferreira (who plays Sabu's girlfriend) and her background.