Why do we watch war films? Is it for the pulse-pounding spectacle of combat, an exploration of humanity under the most extreme conditions, or a historical lens into particular epochs? Jack Cardiff’s 1968 offering, Dark of the Sun, encapsulates all these elements and more. This film, set against the volatile backdrop of the 1960s Congo Crisis, blends exhilarating action, moral dilemmas, and authentic historical rendering to create a cinematic tapestry that is as entertaining as it is intellectually stimulating.

Directed by Cardiff, the narrative unfolds around a band of mercenaries, led by Captain Bruce Curry, contracted by a mining conglomerate to rescue trapped civilians and reclaim a stash of diamonds from a remote mining outpost in the Belgian Congo. As they traverse hostile territory, the mercenaries grapple with personal motivations, war atrocities, and moral ambiguities inherent in their mission. The forthcoming sections of this feature delve deeper into the film’s rich historical setting, complex character dynamics, riveting conflict and tension, as well as Cardiff’s distinct directorial style.

Jack Cardiff

Jack Cardiff’s career is as diverse and vivid as the Technicolor features he famously brought to life. Notably, as a cinematographer, his innovative use of light and colour in Powell-Preminger classics like The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus earned him an international reputation. These films illuminated Cardiff’s extraordinary skill to craft narrative essence from hues and luminosity, an ability that earned him an Academy Award for Black Narcissus.

However, Cardiff’s segue into directing unfolded less smoothly. His directorial debut, Intent to Kill in 1958, failed to replicate the acclaim he had garnered as a cinematographer; most of his early directorial ventures were critically deemed as lacklustre. The series of cinematic let-downs might have disheartened a lesser artist, yet Cardiff proved resilient.

Dark of the Sun, emerging in 1968, signalled a pivotal moment in Cardiff’s journey as a director. Veering from his initial drama and romance focus, Cardiff ventured into the war-adventure genre.

Dark of the Sun carves out a unique niche within the broader cinematic tapestry. It wasn’t a pioneering war film, nor was it particularly successful, but its raw portrayal of war’s brutalities, woven with Cardiff’s distinct cinematic panache, distinguishes it. Its unsentimental realism and morally ambiguous characters subverted the traditional heroic narratives pervasive in contemporaneous war films.

Though its initial release didn’t spark universal acclaim, Dark of the Sun has slowly cultivated a cult status over time. For Cardiff, the film signifies a personal and professional victory, an opportunity to demonstrate his directorial mettle and unique cinematic voice. It remains a tribute to Cardiff’s tenacity and enduring influence on cinema, embodying the triumph over adversity, much like his characters, under a different light.

Cinema on the Edge of Chaos

In Dark of the Sun, Cardiff’s visionary transformation from cinematographer to director successfully captures a world on the edge of chaos. Set in the tumultuous milieu of the Congo Crisis, the film does more than use this setting as a backdrop—it turns it into a platform for probing human greed, violence, and the instinct for survival.

From the film’s opening, Cardiff instantly pulls the audience into the beauty and unrest of the Belgian Congo. He expertly manipulates the camera, making the landscape a critical player in the unfolding drama. The protagonists—a disparate group of mercenaries headed by Captain Curry—represent a microcosm of the larger conflicts raging across the continent. Cardiff subtly highlights the broader geopolitical ramifications of the Congo Crisis through this group’s inner tensions.

Unlike conventional war films of its era, Dark of the Sun unflinchingly depicts war as a brutal, dehumanising force. Cardiff’s mastery of visual storytelling is evident throughout the film, where meticulously crafted frames range from stunning landscape shots to intense, claustrophobic close-ups during action sequences.

Cardiff masterfully weaves conflict and tension into Dark of the Sun, amplifying the narrative’s dramatic power and providing a nuanced commentary on the intricacies of the Congo Crisis. From the immediate, visceral tension between the mercenaries and their adversaries to the simmering inner conflicts within the team and with the Congolese populace, the film creates a microcosm of the wider societal and political turmoil.

Physical conflict is just one layer of the narrative; Cardiff also unearths the emotional and psychological turmoil within the mercenaries. The film subtly touches upon the dubious politics of the Congo Crisis and foreign involvement. Cardiff carefully unpacks themes of imperialism, neocolonialism, and exploitation, revealing the grim underbelly of Western intervention.

Moreover, Dark of the Sun delves into cultural clashes. A key scene where the mercenaries struggle to communicate with a local chief underscores the profound cultural divide. Cardiff expertly portrays the Congolese people not as mere victims or adversaries but as complex individuals embroiled in an upheaval far beyond their control.

Dark of the Sun plunges headlong into the raw, brutal reality of war, a departure from Cardiff’s previous ventures, which veered towards the poetic and romantic. Each action sequence is meticulously choreographed and filmed with an intensity that keeps audiences gripped. Unlike the stylised combat of films such as Seven Samurai or The Wild Bunch, the struggle for survival depicted here is chaotic, dirty, and desperate, underlining the ruthless nature of warfare.

Cardiff expertly intersperses gunfights and ambushes throughout the narrative, continuously heightening tension and offering explosive insights into the mercenaries’ perilous journey. Cardiff does not shy away from portraying the consequences of these battles, providing a stark counterpoint to the sanitised violence typical of war films.

Battlefield Choreography

One of the most striking and unforgettable set pieces unfolds as rebel forces ambush the train carrying our mercenaries. This sequence, bursting with suspense, kinetic energy, and psychological tension, underscores Cardiff’s ability to harmonise character development and thrilling spectacle.

The portrayal of warfare in Dark of the Sun accentuates the unpredictability and chaos intrinsic to the battlefield. Contrary to films such as The Great Escape or The Bridge on the River Kwai, where meticulous plans are executed with precision, our mercenaries find themselves adapting to unforeseen circumstances, contending with not only armed enemies but also the treacherous landscape and a relentless ticking clock.

Far from glamorising the mercenaries’ journey, Cardiff showcases it as an exacting ordeal, counterpointing their initially blithe disposition. The film offers a harsh reality check that warfare is a vicious and desperate struggle for survival, stripped of all glory and honour. This unflinching portrayal resonates with films like Saving Private Ryan or Black Hawk Down, which remove the veneer of heroism to expose the gruesome underbelly of warfare.

The authentic and gritty representation of action and warfare is integral to Dark of the Sun. The film’s ability to stage electrifying action sequences combined with its candid portrayal of conflict significantly contributes to its lasting impact. It is a testament to Cardiff’s adaptability and his readiness to embrace various genres and styles, thus further solidifying his legacy as a ground-breaking director.

Questioning War: Moral Ambiguity in Dark of the Sun

In Dark of the Sun, the mercenaries wrestle with the harsh reality of their mission and confront the dark side of their motivations and the boundaries they’re prepared to breach.

Cardiff’s film, akin to Stanley Kubrick‘s Paths of Glory or Sam Peckinpah‘s Cross of Iron, scrutinises the moral ambiguity frequently inherent in war. Our mercenaries, propelled by a mix of self-interest, duty, and the alluring prospect of diamond wealth, find their motivations increasingly convoluted and punctuated by inner conflicts as they encounter the horrors of the Congo Crisis. The team leader, Captain Curry, epitomises this moral wrestle, consistently grappling with his mission obligations, team loyalty, and intrinsic humanity.

Cardiff skillfully raises questions about violence and human nature. How far can an individual go in the name of survival? Can violence be justified when it serves a larger purpose? While the film refrains from delivering clear-cut answers, it does present a narrative where every action has repercussions, and each choice can precipitate an irreversible turning point.

The recurring theme of survival and sacrifice, which adds depth to the narrative, involves characters perpetually pushed to their limits. As the mercenaries traverse hostile territory, their struggle for survival evolves into something more primal and desperate. The film interrogates the extreme lengths people are prepared to go to for survival, presenting an unvarnished portrayal of humanity at its rawest.

Dark of the Sun expands upon the conventional survival theme, addressing physical, moral and spiritual survival. The lingering question is: Can these characters retain their humanity amidst the savagery of war, or will they surrender to the violence and greed engulfing them?

In essence, Dark of the Sun transcends the standard tropes of war films, delving into the moral and existential questions that arise from conflict. Cardiff’s exploration of moral dilemmas, survival, and sacrifice imbues the film with philosophical depth, elevating it beyond an action-filled spectacle to a thought-provoking scrutiny of the human condition during wartime. His portrayal of complex characters navigating harsh realities exhibits his depth and insight, further solidifying Dark of the Sun as a milestone in his distinguished career.

Humanity Amidst Carnage: The Characters of Dark of the Sun

At the heart of Dark of the Sun’s narrative lie its riveting characters and the intricate web of relationships they form. Cardiff ingeniously constructs a vibrant tapestry of characters, each adding layers of complexity to the narrative with their unique personalities, backgrounds, and motivations.

The dynamics between the hardened, duty-bound Captain Curry and the morally upright Congolese mercenary, Sgt. Ruffo anchors the film. Their camaraderie and mutual respect serve as the film’s moral compass amidst the ensuing chaos.

Contrarily, Cardiff also delves into the murkier side of these relationships, specifically through the character of Bussier, whose unchecked greed casts a dark shadow over Curry and Ruffo’s moral struggles. His presence triggers internal conflict, power struggles and betrayals that ratchet up the tension.

In a film defined by high-stakes action and profound moral dilemmas, these complex character relationships add emotional resonance. Like contemporary directors, John Huston in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre or David Lean in Bridge on the River Kwai, Cardiff displays a deep understanding of character-driven narratives. Through Dark of the Sun, he presents a riveting exploration of humanity under extreme circumstances, ensuring the characters and their relationships remain at the core of the story.

Final Thoughts

We’ve navigated Dark of the Sun’s landscape, dissected its potent action sequences, explored its thought-provoking exploration of moral dilemmas, and admired the character depth and cinematic richness. The film, however, has not been exempt from criticism.

Critics have taken issue with the film’s harsh portrayal of violence, deeming it gratuitous, and others contend that the representation of African characters lacks depth, falling into stereotypes and prejudices of the era. While these critiques warrant careful consideration and discussion, they don’t undermine the enduring appeal of Dark of the Sun.

Despite the criticism, Dark of the Sun stands tall, revered as a cult classic for its audacious and gritty portrayal of war and its human toll. It encourages us to reconsider our perceptions of heroism, survival, and the human capacity for nobility and depravity under extreme circumstances. The film, more than just entertainment, is a mirror reflecting our darkest fears, our deepest dilemmas, and our undying will to survive.