Human Desire' is a 1954 film noir directed by Fritz Lang and starring Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, and Broderick Crawford. It is loosely based on Émile Zola's 1890 novel 'The Human Beast', which had been previously adapted to the screen by Jean Renoir in 1938 and by Ilka Grüning in 1920.
The film tells the story
of Jeff Warren (Ford), a train engineer and Korean War veteran who returns to
his hometown and becomes involved in a love triangle with Vicki Buckley
(Grahame), the unhappy wife of his co-worker Carl Buckley (Crawford). Carl is a
violent and jealous man who forces Vicki to help him murder his boss after he
is fired. Jeff falls in love with Vicki and tries to save her from Carl's
tyranny, but he soon discovers that she is not as innocent as she seems.
Human Desire' is a dark
and tense film that explores the themes of passion, betrayal, and violence.
Lang creates a claustrophobic atmosphere with his use of tight spaces, shadows,
and close-ups. He also uses the train as a symbol of fate and destiny, as well
as a source of suspense and danger. The film features some impressive scenes of
train operations and movements, as well as some thrilling moments of action and
confrontation.
The film also benefits from the excellent performances of its three main actors. Ford portrays Jeff as a decent but conflicted man who is torn between his duty and his desire. Grahame plays Vicki as a seductive but troubled woman who manipulates both men to her advantage. Crawford delivers a powerful performance as Carl, a brutal and ruthless villain who will stop at nothing to keep his wife. Human Desire' is a film that deserves more recognition and appreciation from movie lovers. It is a film that showcases Lang's mastery of the film noir genre and his ability to create complex and compelling characters. It is a film that offers a gripping and tragic story of human nature and its dark impulses.
