Three American explorers Hooker (Gary Cooper), Fiske (Richard Widmark) and Daly (Cameron Mitchell) find themselves stranded in a small Mexican village, before being approached by Leah Fuller (Susan Hayward), who offers them a large sum of money to rescue her husband from a collapsed gold mine. The trio agree and travel deep into the Mexican wilderness, where they encounter a series of obstacles along the way. A traditional American western that combines adventure and romance effectively and showcases some beautiful landscapes.
Director: Henry Hathaway
Writers: Frank Fenton, Fred Freiberger, William Tunberg
Starring: Gary Cooper, Susan Hayward, Richard Widmark, Cameron Mitchell, Victor Manual Mendoza
Directed by Henry Hathaway and written by Frank Fenton, Fred Freiberger and William Tunberg, Garden of Evil was released to the big screen in 1954 and marked another American western appearance for Gary Cooper, following on from his hugely successful role as Will Kane in High Noon (1952) just two years previous. It’s worth noting that Gary Cooper himself would continue acting for several more years after the release of Garden of Evil, before sadly passing away from cancer in 1961, aged just 60.
The story itself is relatively simple and follows a familiar American western formula, with a romance-based subplot and the presence of Native Americans both included – two elements that traditionally featured in westerns of this era. While there are elements of intrigue throughout the one-hundred minute runtime, the story can feel somewhat predictable and even uneventful at times. It’s worth noting that the picture takes a fair chunk of time to establish its key characters and surroundings, although things do gradually become more eventful and action-packed as the story progresses.
Where Garden of Evil really shines, however, is in its cinematography and overall production value. The film makes excellent use of its Mexican locations, with beautiful landscapes, rugged mountains and vast open landscapes providing a truly authentic feel. The fitting soundtrack also works well alongside the visuals, adding to the atmosphere without ever becoming too overbearing.
In terms of the cast, Gary Cooper delivers a typically strong performance as Hooker, providing the picture with a proven central figure that commanded a large chunk of the screentime in the process. Susan Hayward is also effective as Leah Fuller, while Richard Widmark, Cameron Mitchell and Victor Manual Mendoza provide solid support as Fiske, Daly and Vincente, respectively. The relatively small central cast works well, allowing each character to shine and make an impression throughout.
All in all, Garden of Evil is a traditional and visually impressive American western that benefits greatly from its beautiful cinematography and authentic Mexican setting. The fitting soundtrack and solid performances also provide plenty to enjoy. With that said, some may see the flick’s slightly uneventful story and predictable nature as a negative. Nevertheless, it remains worth a watch for fans of the classic American western genre.
“I guess if the earth were made of gold, men would die for a handful of dirt.“
Hooker – Garden of Evil
