The Spanish Main

Coming to the latter stages of Frank Borzage career, The Spanish Main (1945) feels like him trying to reinvent himself stepping away from his usual heavy romance themed films that made him famous. A swashbuckler, no less! Not that there isn't a complicated love story in the middle of this. A rough one, for those that like that type of romances. But surrounding that is a lot of action and thrills as the men fight for power and most importantly Maureen O'Hara. Quite fascinating.

One of those vivacious movies where everyone seems to be having a rip-roaring good time. Maureen O'Hara is lovely in the typical fiery-spirited young lass role, and Walter Slezak makes a nicely hissable villain. Paul Henreid gives an excellent performance in a surprisingly nuanced role--well, surprising for a boisterous Technicolor swashbuckling romance, anyhow. Great cheesy fun.