Satan Never Sleeps (1962)

Set in 1949 China during the Communist cultural revolution of chairman Mao Zedong, a Catholic priest (William Holden) is sent to replace a much older priest (Clifton Webb) at a mission. But when the Red Chinese take over the area, the mission becomes a battle zone between the priests and the appointed leader (Weaver Lee) of the Red Chinese army. Based on the novel by Pearl Buck and directed by Leo McCarey (THE AWFUL TRUTH) in his final film. This is a misguided project all around. One of McCarey's biggest hits was GOING MY WAY which featured Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald as contentious priests and he tries the formula again here. This film is an awkward blend of realism (rape, torture) and folksy humor that simply doesn't work. Holden is terribly miscast and he seems to have sensed it as he seems ill at ease in the part and it shows. Only Webb (in his last film role) as the irascible older priest doesn't embarrass himself. The film also features some of the worst rear projection I've seen in a major film. The score is by Richard Rodney Bennett (MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS). With France Nuyen, Burt Kwouk, Athene Seyler and Martin Benson.