This is a movie that I like more then most people. I am not of Basque Heritage, so I cannot say what they did wrong as far as a culture and language is concerned. But if you watch the movie you will see that it is the Basque Settlers ( who needed to plant grape vines they brought from France) as opposed to the American trail guide, Lon ( Jeff Chandler) that comes up with the plan to defeat the Indians. The best one in the movie is Gabrielle Dauphin ( Susan Hayward) who is in a loveless, arraigned marriage to Andre. She is the walking definition of a spitfire, which you see in her flamingo dance and the settlers want to quit and she keeps them going, and when she pulls a gun on Lon and he knows she will use it. Andre simply cannot handle her ( even his mother calls him old). Andre is eventually killed by accident, but by tradition his younger brother Pepe must marry her. Of course, the one she really loves is Lon. Spoilers ahead: The way the Basque and Lon take to the mountains and defeat the Indians is something to watch. At the end Lon finds the perfect spot to plant the vines, which he shows to Gabrielle and Pepe, and Pepe sees the love that they have for each other. Pepe said to Lon " The best way to marry is for love." and he lets him have her. 9/10 Stars mostly for Hayward who dominates every scene she is in.
Review of Thunder in the Sun
