Appointment in Honduras (1953)

Glenn Ford is on a mission. He must get to Honduras at all costs. We get the feeling he's smuggling something or is a contact person for something going down. He's on a steamer with husband-and-wife passengers Zachary Scott and Ann Sheridan. Just why they're there, I forget. But of course, they get dragged into Glenn's mission as hostages, so they have to brave the elements, too. Stuart Whitman and Jack Elam costar in this colorful and exotic film about danger at every corner and in every swamp, with alligators, crocodiles, snakes, tiger fish abound. Don't get in Glenn's way or else, because he means business here! This does have a very campy feel to it, making the viewer feel that they're not to take things too seriously. I had a lot of fun just imagining that, as they are all battling through the brush and the rain on this island, they are really on a movie set! It also helps that Ann and Glenn are practically sweating on each other, even though Ann's married to Zachary. And, the shots of a jungle and the apparent on-location outdoors helps fit the mood. I see that the rating on this is on the poor side, but I've seen worse. If you happen to come across this and want some entertainment for 75 minutes, then this over-the-top film should fulfill your adventure fix with some good company. Just watch out for those tiger fish!

Bad script, bad editing, bad direction, bad film but great for fans of really bad movies with interesting casts: Glen Ford, still leading man quality; Zachary Scott with his usual smooth performance; and Ann Sheridan, the reason I bought the DVD, always worth watching even if her good roles were in the past. As they wandered through the jungle I kept wondering why they didn't just step off the set and go the commissary. Things I liked were the red-yellow color tones on the DVD I saw and the crude - scratching on film - special effects of the ants and the flying insects, whatever they were and it was interesting to see Stuart Whitman in a small role as the telegraph operator at the beginning and Jack Elam as one of the bad guys.

Steve Corbett (Glen Ford) is given a mission to find a former Honduras president who was recently deposed in a result of a coup d'etat in order to give him money that will help him to come back to power. In order to do that he is made to join a group of prisoners who were being transported on a boat, force the captain to take them to the shore and set them free, taking as hostages an American couple (played by Ann Sheridan and Zachary Scott) and embark on a dangerous journey through Central American jungle in order to fulfill his mission whatever the cost.Though the film has it's interesting moments, such as location shots of the jungle and it's inhabitants, the story is weak with uninteresting characters not managing to convince one to care for them. 5/10

This movie has an interesting plot. A wealthy couple is taken hostage and taken through the jungle of Honduras by bandits and Corben, a man that tries to set the group to his hand with promises and lies if necessary. They don't only have to fight the dangers of a jungle, but there's also a strong film noir element going on with the characters. They are all different and have all different plans with their future, but have to put up with each other to survive the jungle. It's a bit like how the characters in Ford's Stagecoach are played out against/for each other. The movie feels somewhat dated since it's so obvious it is recorded in studios, but like most Tourneurs, it's fine for a late rainy night at home. APPOINTMENT IN HONDURAS couldn't get my attention throughout the whole movie though, but I'll keep the video tape still. 5/10