SATAN NEVER SLEEPS: CHANGE IN CHINA

How times have changed. A title like this today would conjure up fears of horror fueled dreams. But back in 1962 that wasn’t the case. This is no horror film but a drama that revolves around the changes in China that took place when Mao took over. It is also the last film in the long and wonderful career of director Leo McCarey who gave us such films as DUCK SOUP, THE AWFUL TRUTH, GOING MY WAY and THE BELLS OF ST. MARY’S. While this film might have a few humorous moments it is anything but a comedy though.

It’s 1949 and the Chinese Civil War is nearing an end. Mao Tse Tung’s Communist soldiers have taken over most of the country. This results in a complete change in the country and in particular for this story a missionary establishment there. Father O'Banion (William Holden) is on his way to take over from retiring Father Bovard (Clifton Webb), too old and frail to continue on here. On his journey there O’Banion has unfortunately gained a young Chinese girl named Siu Lan (France Nuyen) along the way. The girl has fallen in love with him and claims he saved her thus she now owes him her life. Before Bovard can leave though the Communist Army takes over the mission.

No matter how hard he tries O’Banion can’t seem to get the girl to return to her family. Bovard gets involved when their cook leaves to join the army leaving O’Banion to cook (which he does poorly) and Siu Lan steps in to take over. Bovard is forbidden to leave by the incoming man in charge Ho San (Weaver Lee). Ho San was once a member of Bovard’s flock but has since converted to Communism with a vengeance.

Under Ho San’s rule the mission is destroyed by his men, the church is desecrated and the priests are confined to quarters. Eventually this leads to imprisoning Bovard while trying to force him to sign a document claiming he lied to the villagers and supports Communism. With his eye set on Siu Lan he returns to the mission, ties up O’Banion and taking Siu Lan to a different building rapes her. The resulting child and the command to kill all Christians has an effect on Ho San but will it be too late?

This is not a lightweight film by any means. While there are a few moments that lighten things a bit, most of them involving the predicament O’Banion finds himself in with Siu Lan, the main focus of the story revolves around the change in the country and the people of China. These are dangerous times and the treatment of the two priests displays this throughout the film as does their determination to remain true to their faith.

The movie is an intense look through the eyes of the times providing a look at Communist China at the height of the Communist scare in this country. While considered by some to be a false flag there definitely was something going on at the time to be fearful of and recent events have seen much of those fears culminate in the country becoming a world power to contend with now. But the movie’s depiction of them here is more along the lines of a rampaging wild animal than a thoughtful conniving group. But then these are the new converts in the field, not the rulers.

The movie also deals with the feelings that Holden as O’Banion has for this young woman who is in love with him. She goes so far as to suggest that he leave the church so that he can marry her. While he is fond of her his feelings are not the same as hers for him. Or are they? That struggle plays a component in the character of O’Banion.

Webb as Bovard turns in a fine performance in what was to be his last film. He plays the character much like he did many roles in his time, as a stern countenance that watches over those around him, determined to shape them into the people he thinks they should be. But while stern he also has a compassionate side as well.

The movies may not suit the viewers of today, not offering explosions and car chases. And the romance depicted here does not give us longing looks and nude bodies writhing about in front of what always seems to be a perfectly located fireplace. Even the rape scene, no doubt quite controversial at the time, isn’t shown here but rather inferred. I think in doing so it makes it that much more despicable and horrifying. The mind can create horrors that at times cameras cannot. This is one of those examples.

In the end the movie does not so much entertain as it does provide a glimpse at a world just learning about what was taking place in China at the time. Apologists will feel it’s a distorted view and those who still have concern about the country will say it is an apt depiction. I would guess the truth lies somewhere in the middle of both of those views. In the meantime the film gives us the final glimpses of two illustrious careers, those of McCarey and Webb, while solidifying the star status of Holden and providing us an early look at France Nuyen who went on to a lengthy career. It’s a movie worth watching.

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