Elia Kazan, was a director, who was known for heavy dramatic movies. The list is extensive. They include, Gentleman’s Agreement, A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront. These films not only were good, but made stars of the actors. One film on Kazan’s resume, is Man on a Tightrope. It is a hard hitting drama, that puts life in eastern bloc countries, in perspective. It stars Frederic March, as Karel Cernik. Terry Moore, plays his daughter, Tereza.
Karel Cernik, is the manager of a Czech circus. He once owned it, but the state took it over. He tours the country, with it, performing as a clown. He also has a wife, Zama, (Gloria Grahame), who wants more than a circus life. He must put up with his unhappy wife, and various circus personalities. These include a cowardly lion tamer, Rudolph, (Alexander D’Arcy), Kalka, (Hanzi), and Krofta, (Richard Boone), a circus laborer, who believes workers are the important part of the show. Cernik, also must deal with his daughter. She loves Joe Vosdek, (Cameron Mitchell), a stable hand. He recently joined the circus, and Karel objects to the romance. This is because Joe Vosdek, is an outsider.
When the Cernik led circus, comes to town, the secret police question him. This is an interesting scene. Karel, is asked what he does. He explains that he is a clown. He gives the police details about his act. The explanation, leaves them wondering, what is funny, about the act. Karel, when asked if he is nervous, say that he is. He knows that in this country, the wrong answers, land you in jail. Elia Kazan, has given the scene a claustrophobic feel. He shows the police staring at Cernik, and Cernik becoming tense and uncomfortable. It is after this interrogation, that Karel Cernik, decides that he and his circus, will make a run to freedom. When Karel tells his wife, her response is, that she didn’t think he had the courage.
Karel has a visit from a rival, Barovic, (Robert Beatty). He knows what Cernik is planning. He has a grudging admiration for him. The two decide to stage a brawl, in Karel’s circus car. This is a good scene, and well choreographed. Both characters come out bloodied and bruised. Barovic leaves, shouting that he’ll be back. The ruse has worked, and Barovic has passed information to Cernik. It is suspected that Joe Vosdek is a party spy. Karel gives this news to his daughter. She says that isn’t true. Joe Vosdek, is an American soldier, who got separated from his unit.
Karel Cernik is satisfied, that all are on board, with his plan. He takes his caravan and heads for the border. One man is not happy. It is Krofta. He pulls a gun, and tells Cernik, to go back. Kalka, attacks Krofta, and the gun falls. Krofta is tied up and thrown out. The caravan then proceeds to the border under heavy fire. This is when the cowardly Rudolph, steps up to the plate. He gets off the caravan, firing a gun on the bridge. This gives the circus time. It ends with his noble sacrifice. As the caravan crosses the bridge to freedom, former and present communist leaders are shown on a large poster on the Czech border, signifying what they’re leaving behind. There is a great cost to the freedom. The circus leader, Karel Cernik, was mortally wounded. Everyone is sad, but Cernik’s wife, reminds them, that they have their lives.
Elia Kazan was vilified in Hollywood, for testifying before The House Un-American Activities Committee. He named names, doing what he thought was right. He was not alone. There were others who knew what was going on in Hollywood, before and after WW2. Many testified. No matter what was said about him, he still has a great legacy. This movie, gives a depiction of what life was like in The Soviet Bloc. It is an example, of people standing up for freedom. It shows that freedom isn’t free, and comes with sacrifice. This is a movie that makes as powerful a statement, as any of Kazan’s films. It not only has good dialogue, but an incredible climax. The acting of Frederic March, is one of the many highlights of the movie. He gives a strong, but subtle performance. He wasn’t nominated, for an Oscar but one. Any fan of films and Elia Kazan, will appreciate this very good, and under appreciated movie.