Director William A. Wellman reunited with Gary Cooper, one of the stars of Wings (1927), for this remake of the Ronald Colman silent adventure classic. As the eponymous hero, Gary Cooper defends a beleaguered fort against Arab attackers. The role conforms comfortably to the parameters of Cooper's mid-period star persona: Beau Geste is a paradigm of rugged yet restrained male virtue. As Cooper's sadistic nemesis, Brian Donlevy fairly steals the scenes they share (and earned himself an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor).
Paramount Pictures, Inc. (Production): William A. Wellman. Director: William A. Wellman. Screenwriter: Robert Carson. Based on the novel by Percival Christopher Wren. Cinematography: Theodor Sparkuhl. Editor: Thomas Scott. Cast: Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, Robert Preston, Brian Donlevy, Susan Hayward. 35mm, b/w, 120 min.
