Saadia, a film from the year 1953, was a thrilling adventure and drama set in French Morocco. The main roles were performed by Cornel Wilde, Mel Ferrer, and Rita Gam. This piece shall delve further into the locations where the film was shot, the actors’ roles, and some behind-the-scenes trivia and facts about the movie.
Where it Filmed?
The movie Saadia was filmed in the exotic city of Marrakech, Morocco from February 1953 to April 1953. It brought spectacular Moroccan landscapes to life on the big screen.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Cornel Wilde | Si Lahssen |
| Mel Ferrer | Henrik |
| Rita Gam | Saadia |
| Michel Simon | Bou Rezza |
| Cyril Cusack | Khadir |
| Wanda Rotha | Fatima |
| Marcel Poncin | Moha |
| Anthony Marlowe | Capt. Sabert |
| Hélène Vallier | Zoubida |
| Mahjoub Ben Brahim | Ahmed |
| Jacques Dufilho | Bandit leader |
| Bernard Farrel | Lt. Camuzac |
| Richard Johnson | Lt. Girard |
| Peter Copley | Leader Mokhazenis |
| Marne Maitland | Horse dealer |
| Harold Kasket | Cheikh of Inimert |
| Peter Bull | Village potentate |
| Abdallah Mennebhi | Brahim |
Trivia and Facts
- Saadia was released in the USA in December 1953.
- Albert Lewin directed this adventure-drama lasting approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes.
- The film’s ensemble cast includes Cornel Wilde as Si Lahssen, Mel Ferrer as Henrik, and Rita Gam in the titular role of Saadia.
- The film is based on a strange Arabian girl named Saadia, whose life is dominated by a local sorceress who believes Saadia to be cursed. A complex love triangle and a plague outbreak further complicated the plot.
- Francis D’Autheville wrote the original novel “Échec au destin” on which the screenplay by Albert Lewin is based.
- Bronislau Kaper created the music for the movie, and Christopher Challis was in charge of the cinematography.
- The film was mostly shot on location in Marrakech, Morocco.
