Movie review - "Storm Over the Nile" (1955) ***

You wonder why the Kordas bothered making it, especially since they used the same script as the 1939 film, which was shot in colour, as well as much new footage. Was it a desire to employ some actors? Make some easy money? It must have been to do it in Cinemascope.

It still works - it's a good story of high adventure with a background in cowardice (although that isn't really explored apart from the opening sequence of little Harry Faversham being scared). Anthony Steel steps in for John Clements and does about as little with the role as Clements did, but he's handsome and dashing and not that irritating (he's a bit more expressive than Clements). Laurence Harvey replaces Ralph Richardson as the soldier who goes blind in the desert, the part that gets the bulk of the sympathy (giving up the woman he loves when he realises that Harry is still alive and a hero) - he's not as good an actor but he does try. And the part doesn't require that much acting - mostly being blind, and noble about love.

Mary Ure is pretty enough but bland, James Robertson Justice is an excellent substitute for C Aubrey Smith, Geoffrey Keen offers good support, and there's some familiar names in the support cast: Ronald Lewis and Ian Carmichael as the other two friends (neither of whom have a character really) and Christopher Lee as an Arab.