There are going to be a lot of comparisons to "King Soloman's Mines" because of the presence of leading man Stewart Granger and the same director. However, I also saw in it a more glamorous version of "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", with Granger, Paul Douglas and John Erickson equivalent to "Sierra Madre's" Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston and Tim Holt, if a bit toned down compared to that outstanding adventure film's cast. Granger is out to find the elusive emerald mine of the Conquistadors in the Columbian mountains. Like "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", these mountains are filled with bandits, lead by "El Mino". Attacked by the bandits at the beginning of the film, he manages to survive, and is taken to the home of lovely coffee plantation owner Grace Kelly whom he is instantly smitten with. Returning to Kelly's plantation after briefly leaving to bring his partner (Douglas) back with him, Granger finds himself the victim of the title, "Green Fire", which translates as the greed the earlier conquistadors fell victim to as their findings increased. That is experienced here when two of the Columbian miners begin to fight over what they believe to be emerald which turns out to be false.
Kelly had a busy year, being hot after "High Noon" and her Oscar-Nominated turn in "Mogambo". Other than this film, she "graced" audiences with her presence in Hitchcock's "Rear Window" and "Dial M For Murder" and her Oscar Winning turn in "The Country Girl". Her character may seem soft at first glance, but she isn't afraid of hard work; In fact, she gets out there, being physical in the dirt along with her plantation workers. Now that's the type of boss I like! Granger is essentially the same character he was in "King Soloman's Mines". Acting honors go to Paul Douglas as the good-hearted seemingly brutish partner who falls in love unrequitably with Kelly. For once, I'd like to see a film where the not so good looking hero ends up with the beauty and the hunk (Granger, whose character is only snapped out of his greed by impending tragedy) gets sent packing. The film's message about greed remains strong, as does the lesson about pulling together in times of crisis, in this case, an impending flood that could destroy the entire valley.
Kelly had a busy year, being hot after "High Noon" and her Oscar-Nominated turn in "Mogambo". Other than this film, she "graced" audiences with her presence in Hitchcock's "Rear Window" and "Dial M For Murder" and her Oscar Winning turn in "The Country Girl". Her character may seem soft at first glance, but she isn't afraid of hard work; In fact, she gets out there, being physical in the dirt along with her plantation workers. Now that's the type of boss I like! Granger is essentially the same character he was in "King Soloman's Mines". Acting honors go to Paul Douglas as the good-hearted seemingly brutish partner who falls in love unrequitably with Kelly. For once, I'd like to see a film where the not so good looking hero ends up with the beauty and the hunk (Granger, whose character is only snapped out of his greed by impending tragedy) gets sent packing. The film's message about greed remains strong, as does the lesson about pulling together in times of crisis, in this case, an impending flood that could destroy the entire valley.