Forbidden Women (1948 film)

Forbidden Women, also known as Rope of Sand, is a 1948 American adventure film noir directed by William Dieterle and starring Burt Lancaster, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Peter Lorre, and Corinne Calvet. The film is set in the Sahara Desert and concerns a guide (Lancaster) caught in a web of intrigue involving stolen diamonds and a ruthless commandant (Henreid) who seeks to recover them.

The storyline revolves around the discovery of diamonds near a desert oasis, prompting a struggle between the local population, represented by the guide, and the occupying colonial power. The guide is imprisoned and tortured for information on the diamond's location, but he resists. He subsequently becomes entangled with various characters, including a cunning international criminal (Rains) and his alluring companion (Calvet), all vying for control of the valuable gems.

Forbidden Women is notable for its exotic setting, its blend of adventure and noir elements, and its cast of established Hollywood stars. The film's themes touch upon greed, betrayal, and the exploitation of indigenous populations by colonial forces. While not considered a major cinematic masterpiece, it remains a noteworthy example of the adventure-noir genre from the post-war era. The film's title refers to Calvet's character and the implied societal restrictions placed upon women within the narrative's historical and cultural context.