Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951) – Nostalgia Central

Set in the early 1930s in a small but fashionable seaport town called Esperanza (“Hope”) on “the Mediterranean coast of Spain,” where idle rich exiles mingle with working fisherfolk, the film begins with the discovery of two drowned corpses, hands locked together.

In flashback, Pandora Reynolds (Ava Gardner), an American singer who is unable to find love, hastily agrees to marry racing driver Stephen Cameron (Nigel Patrick).

Soon afterwards, she swims out to a streamlined white yacht in the bay. The only person on board is Hendrick Van Der Zee (James Mason), a handsome and mysterious Dutchman who is the captain and sole crew member of the luxury yacht.

Although he has never seen her, he is painting a portrait of Pandora.

The two fall in love.

Pandora has another ardent admirer, a famous bullfighter named Juan Montalvo (Mario Cabré), who – in a frenzy of jealousy – stabs Hendrick but fails to kill him. Later, Montalvo is gored to death by a bull.

Pandora then leaves Stephen (now the holder of the world speed record) to join Hendrick on his yacht. A hurricane springs up out of nowhere, and the boat is wrecked.

The next day, the bodies of Pandora and Hendrick are found clasped in each other’s arms, washed up on the beach.

Hendrick turns out to be the Flying Dutchman of legend, cursed to sail the seas until he finds a woman willing to die for him.

Shot in dark-hued but ravishing Technicolor by Jack Cardiff, the film is a tribute to the beauty of Ava Gardner, with footnotes about the brooding intensity of James Mason.

Hendrick van der Zee
James Mason
Pandora Reynolds
Ava Gardner
Stephen Cameron
Nigel Patrick
Janet
Sheila Sim
Geoffrey Fielding
Harold Warrender
Juan Montalvo
Mario Cabré
Reggie Demarest
Marius Goring
Angus
John Laurie
Jenny
Pamela Kellino
Peggy
Patricia Raine
Senora Montalvo
Margarita D’Alvarez
Judge
Abraham Sofaer
Vicente
Francisco Igual
Geoffrey’s Housekeeper
Lilli Molnar

Director
Albert Lewin