"The Spiral Road" is a very good adventure drama and love story that also gives a picture of some historical value. The latter includes a look at the colonial period, government service, humanitarian services, and missionaries. This is set in 1936 Indonesia, which then was called the Dutch East Indies. The film is based on a novel by Jan de Hartog, Dutch and American author.
The film opens with a new crop of young doctors arriving in Batavia, Dutch East Indies (roughly, modern Jakarta, Indonesia). They are there to give the first five years of their medical careers in service to the government. It's payback for The Netherlands having paid their way through medical school. The nation has an extensive medical service to serve its sprawling colonial territory of the Indies that has thousands of islands and many wild jungle regions. Among the career medical doctors in the Indies is Dr. Brits Jansen. He's the world's leading expert in leprosy, having devoted decades to its research and treatment. While some new doctors aren't enthused about having to start their practice in the jungles and backward areas of their colonial empire, one doctor is eager for his first assignment. Dr. Anton Drager aspires to work with Jansen, learn from him and take part in his research and get it published. He had a cruel upbringing under a father who was a Christian pastor, Drager wants nothing to do with religion and says he doesn't believe in God.
All of this sets the stage for an interesting story with scenic jungle shots, excellent production work, and a very good screenplay. Finally, an outstanding cast make this a very enjoyable film. All turn in very good performances. Rock Hudson is perfect in the role of Drager, the totuk (the term for "new man") who has come to begin his service in the hopes of working with Dr. Jansen. Burl Ives is excellent as Dr. Jansen. Gena Rowlands gives a tremendous performance as Els, who comes to visit and stays on after marrying Drager. Geoffrey Keen is superb as Willem Wattereus, who runs the Salvation Army leper colony and hospital. Larry Gates plays a very good Dr. Kramer, who heads up the entire colonial medical service. Philip Abbott is tremendous as Frolick, the bitter doctor who is staying on and needs his gin - lots of it. Karl Swenson plays Inspector Bevers very well, and Edgar Shtehli is very good as The Sultan.
As some other reviewers have noted, Rock Hudson is especially good as Dr. Anton Drager. Hudson had a few good dramatic roles in his career, along with all his comedy and mystery, and action thrillers. I would rate this his finest job of acting. His scenes in the jungle are superb. I can't think of another actor who has played a role as good as or better than that of the super-confident Drager going mad.
President Dwight Eisenhower, in a 1954 radio broadcast honoring the American Legion, repeated the common aphorism, "There are no atheists in foxholes." That phrase comes to mind watching this film as Drager bends and nearly goes mad all alone in his long period of jungle torment by the witch doctor, Burubi. While the plots of jungle stories vary, seeing this film for the first time that I can remember, reminds me of some other very good films set in a jungle or similar terrain inhabited by primitive peoples. Many scenes and plague situations are evocative of those in "The Painted Veil" of 1934 and 2006. Others are like those in "The Mission" of 1986, "The Sand Pebbles" of 1966, "Death in the Garden" of 1956, and "The Emerald Forrest" of 1985.
Besides movie buffs, those who like or study history, geography, anthropology, or travel and adventure should enjoy this film. Movies such as this that are set in specific times and places of history don't become outdated as many common films of all genres are wont to do. Here are some favorite lines from this film.
Dr. Brits Jansen, "You know, totuk, as you get older, it's the relationship that counts, not the nature of it."
Dr. Jansen, "I'll bunk in here with you. I snore like an elephant, but that's your problem."
Dr. Jansen, "Back in so-called civilization, you can ignore God and get away with it. But out here in the jungle, God takes people who say he doesn't exist, pushes them with his finger, and makes them squirm a little. There are times out here when you can almost hear the Old Boy humming."
Dr. Jansen: "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. And I had no right to play God."
Dr. Jansen, "You don't give a damn about what we're trying to do out here." Dr. Anton Drager, "I don't intend to bury myself forever, sweating my life away in these islands. For what?" Dr. Jansen, "I thought you knew, but you don't. And there's no way that I can explain it to you." Dr. Drager, "Explain what? Killing yourself for people who can't even say your name?" Dr. Jansen, "I know my name. But I'm beginning to forget yours fast, because I don't know what you care about or who you care about."
Dr. Jansen, "Willem said you had a cross to bear, and you do. And sooner or later, it's going to break you, boy. But not here. I can't afford it. I'll get a replacement as quickly as I can."
