The pearly bones of Shakespeare’s The Tempest are just visible in this romance set in the jungle around Veracruz, where a research scientist (Ricardo Montalbán, taking some time out from MGM to return to his native country) has gone in search of barbasco roots, used in the production of synthetic hormones. Lost deep in the interior, he encounters a mysterious, machete-wielding stranger and his beautiful daughter—played by Mexico’s national scream queen, Ariadna Welter (El vampiro).

This screening is part of the first of three film series that celebrate Mexican cinema and is presented with the generous support of Televisa Foundation-Univision.

Director: Roberto Gavaldón. Cast: Ricardo Montalbán, Ariadna Welter, Víctor Parra.1954. 85 min. Mexico. B&W. Spanish. DCP. Digitally remastered by UCLA Film & Television Archive and Permanencia Voluntaria. 

All film screenings of Roberto Gavaldón are available here.