1953 feature film
Filmed on location near Marrakech in Morocco, "Saadia"
is the story of present day Arabia, where modern automobiles share the roads
with camels and the newest medical discoveries compete unsuccessfully with
ancient beliefs. Two enlightened men try to bring knowledge and faith to one
remote Arabian region - Si Lahssen (Cornel Wilde), the hereditary ruler of
the district, who's been educated in Europe but chooses to wear the fez and
robes of his people, and his friend, a French doctor named Henrik (Mel
Ferrer), who has been sent there by chance but now works diligently to
counter the ever present superstitions that fight against his medical
skills.
Both men find themselves in love with a young Arabian girl named Saadia, who
believes herself to be cursed by the local priestess. After Henrik saves her
life, he brings her back to his hospital in an attempt to free her from
local prejudices, and she joyfully flouishes under his gentle guidance. As
they begin to quietly fall in love, neither of them is aware of Si Lahssen's
own love for the girl, until Si Lahssen takes a bullet meant for her, and
Henrik hears his ravings during the delirium. Realizing his love for Saadia
will help keep Si Lahssen alive, Henrik brings the two Arabs together, and
he understands at once how much these two people belong to each other and
their country. Happy for them both, Henrik faces his new life in
Arabia with peace, contentment and hope.
Adapted from a novel by Lorraine Stevens, "Saadia" was very much the project
of Albert Lewin, who produced, directed, and wrote the screenplay. Known as
an accomplished producer from the 30s, Lewin had had some success as a
director, notably with "The Portrait of Dorian Gray" released in 1941 and
"Pandora and the Flying Dutchman," released in 1951, but "Saadia" was to prove
his next to final movie. Although most contemporary reviews were decent
enough, the movie did only reasonably well financially. It was released in
December of 1953, which seems unfortunate timing for this rather introspective work.
Cornel Wilde was top billed as the chieftain Si Lahssen, but the story was
centered around
Mel Ferrer's troubled French doctor. In an attempt to bring more
believability to the role, Ferrer visited the Arab Mauchamp Hospital in
Marrakech to experience first hand the Arabian resistance to modern
medicine. Publicity at the time noted that this son and brother of eminent
doctors was again playing a dedicated medical man. The title role was given
to a relative newcomer - Rita Gam, who had only been in one previous movie,
but she would go directly from this role into Gregory Peck's "Night People",
being filmed in London. Mel Ferrer would be traveling to the same location
for his next film - "Knights of the Round Table".
"Saadia" has never been released as a video, and it is extremely difficult to
find on television as well.
