Band of Angels (3 stars)

Band of Angels, from 1957, is a Civil War-era romantic drama starring Clark Gable and Yvonne DeCarlo.  Based on the Robert Penn Warren novel of the same name, this Raoul Walsh-directed film features Sidney Poitier and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. in supporting roles.  Having never seen this film before, I decided it was the perfect addition to my Clark Gable birthday month celebration.  Given that it is based on the work of a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, has a Civil War setting, stars Clark Gable, and boasts a fantastic director and a Max Steiner score, I had high hopes that Band of Angels might come close to the caliber of Gone with the Wind.  Alas, no...not even close.  While I found it to be an interesting, entertaining film, it didn't do for me what Gone with the Wind does.  I came away from the film only liking it...not loving it; hence, 3 stars.

Not knowing her mother was a slave, Amantha Starr (Yvonne DeCarlo) grows to adulthood believing that she is the privileged daughter of a plantation owner.  Upon her father's untimely death, however, Amantha is shocked to discover that not only is her father's estate completely in debt, but also that she---the daughter of a slave---is considered a slave herself and, therefore, part of the estate's personal property.  As such, she is taken against her will and shipped to New Orleans, where she is to be put on the auction block.

Though another man begins to "inspect" her, local plantation owner, Hamish Bond (Clark Gable) starts the bidding at $5,000, and with the opening bid that high, no one else bids on Amantha. After being told by Amantha that he might buy her, but will never own her, Hamish takes her to his home, where, instead of housing her with the other slaves, she is given a beautiful room in the main house. Thinking that there are strings attached to this treatment, Amantha tells Hamish she would rather go to the slave quarters than to be expected to be his woman.

Hamish, who has his own personal demons from which he's running, keeps his distance and never pushes himself on Amantha. One night during a storm, however, they do get together.

After their night together, Amantha's feelings toward Hamish change. So, too, do his feelings toward her, and he gives her her freedom. By then, loving Hamish, Amantha no longer wants to be free of him. However, when Hamish comes clean and tells her of his slave trader days, Amantha's love for him is put to the test. All this happens just as war is about to break out.

As I said, this film had great potential; however, for some reason which I cannot quite put my finger on, it fell short of my expectations.  I'm not sure why---probably because I was expecting it to be in the same league as Gone with the Wind, and quite honestly, there aren't many films which can compare with that masterpiece.  Gable's and DeCarlo's characters were likeable, and I found myself caring about them.  The musical score was beautiful...the storyline was interesting and historically accurate in many ways.  Clark, handsome and dashing as always, was extremely good in his role, and Miss DeCarlo was lovely and quite believable. With all these positive things going for it, I ought to have loved Band of Angels, but for some reason, I found myself only liking it.

Those who are Clark Gable, Yvonne DeCarlo, Sidney Poitier, or Civil War enthusiasts will probably enjoy seeing this film.  It's definitely entertaining and interesting...just don't expect it to measure up to Gone with the Wind.  The film is out on DVD, so it ought to be fairly easy to track down.

Happy viewing!!