Watch Suez

Suez is a historical epic film that recounts the story of the construction of the Suez Canal during the mid-19th century. The movie, released in 1938, is directed by Allan Dwan and features a talented cast that includes Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, and Annabella. The plot of the film is centered around Ferdinand de Lesseps (Tyrone Power), a French diplomat who is convinced that he can build a waterway that would link the Mediterranean and Red Seas, and therefore greatly reduce the time and expense of shipping between Europe and Asia. Lesseps secures the backing of Emperor Napoleon III, and he begins to assemble a team of engineers and laborers to undertake the monumental task.

Along the way, Lesseps falls in love with a beautiful Egyptian princess, Toni Pellerin (Loretta Young), who is also an avid supporter of the canal. However, their romance is put to the test when religious and political tensions between the French and British forces in the region threaten to derail the project. During this tumultuous period, Lesseps and Pellerin must find a way to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of their love and the success of the Suez Canal.

The film takes viewers on a thrilling journey through some of the toughest periods of construction, including disease outbreaks, fierce weather conditions, and sabotage attempts by the canal's opponents. The filmmakers employ impressive and lifelike special effects to create numerous scenes of massive land shifts, bridge collapses, and water explosions that add to the movie's high degree of realism.

Besides its action-packed plot, Suez also offers a few moments of levity, with the inclusion of characters like de Lesseps' flamboyant friend, Count Marais (played by Joseph Schildkraut), who adds a touch of humor to the otherwise serious story.

The film is also notable for its exquisite costume designs and cinematography, which accurately reproduces detailed Egyptian landscapes and cityscapes from the mid-1800s. The use of exotic backdrops, custom-made costumes, and even live camels during certain scenes gives viewers a sense of the grandeur and scale of the project.

The performances of the lead actors are also noteworthy, with Power delivering an exceptional portrayal of Lesseps, the charismatic leader and visionary whose steadfastness and vision drives the project to its successful completion. Young, meanwhile, captures the fiery spirit of Pellerin, whose fierce independence and passion for the canal works provides a powerful driving force for the project.

In addition, Annabella, who plays Lesseps' devoted and supportive wife, Louise, shows remarkable grace and nuanced acting that adds emotional depth to the story.

Overall, Suez is an epic romance filled with action, suspense, and drama, that tells a historically significant story of triumph and perseverance. Its impressive visual effects and authentic portrayal of 19th-century Egypt make this classic movie worth watching, even for modern audiences.

Suez is a 1938 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.