The End of the River


The End of the River is a 1947 British drama film directed by Derek Twist and starring Sabu and Bibi Ferreira. It was written by Wolfgang Wilhelm, based on the 1940 novel Death of a Common Man by Desmond Holdridge, and produced by Powell & Pressburger. Made in Brazil, the film concerns a Brazilian Indian boy who leaves the jungle for the city, where he is accused of murder.

Cast

Uncredited
It was filmed mainly on location in Belém, Brazil, along the upper sections of the Amazon River.

Reception

Box office

The film earned £69,600 in producer's receipts in the UK and £69,800 overseas. According to Rank's own records the film had made a loss of £78,000 for the company by December 1949.

Critical

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This is an unusual production, but a monotonous series of flashbacks break the even development of the plot and it is difficult at times to keep track of the characters around whom the story is built. The result is that interest is lost and the film becomes boring. It is a pity, also, that so little use has been made of the South American river scenery. Bibi Ferreira gives character and charm to the role of Teresa and Sabu arouses sympathy for the bewildered boy Manoel."
Kine Weekly wrote: "Drab romantic melodrama, meandering alongside the mighty Amazon ... The picture unfolds in a series of sordid flashbacks and retrospective presentation makes its involved, scenically overloaded tale all the more difficult to follow. For a time its finely photographed vistas and panoramas thrill, but after that all attempts to wade through its grisly detail and interpret its message become an unutterable bore. It's entirely lacking in feminine appeal and the rudiments of popular entertainment. It's a case of the nuts going to Brazil."
The Radio Times described the film as "A curio," and concluded, "Despite a good cast and the Brazilian locations, the results are both confusing and disappointing."
TV Guide wrote: "A confusing, mediocre film shot in Brazil, with little to recommend it to audiences elsewhere."
Britmovie wrote, "Sabu is well suited for the role with his Indian good looks. He executes a credible performance... Bibi Ferreira is stunningly beautiful as his love interest... Esmond Knight, Orlando Martins, Robert Douglas, and Torin Thatcher all turn in solid performances... Even though parts of the story remain weak, the scenery definitely makes up for it. Christopher Challis is the cinematographer and he successfully portrays the life of the natives in the lush subtropical forests in Brazil."