Drama,Romance
United States of America
The Night of the Iguana is a 1964 drama film directed by John Huston and based on the play of the same name by Tennessee Williams. The film tells the story of a tour bus driver named Shannon, played by Richard Burton, who is transporting a group of church ladies on a tour of Mexico. Along the way, he meets a young woman named Charlotte, played by Sue Lyon, who is trying to seduce him. After an argument with the church ladies, Shannon drives off the road and crashes the bus. The group seeks refuge at a run-down hotel run by the widowed Maxine, played by Ava Gardner.
The story unfolds as the various characters interact with each other and wrestle with their own personal demons. Shannon is haunted by his past as a minister and struggles with his feelings for Charlotte and his duty to keep the church ladies safe. Maxine is also dealing with her own issues, including her alcoholism and her attraction to Shannon. Meanwhile, one of the church ladies, Judith Fellowes, played by Grayson Hall, is intent on exposing Shannon's past and scandalizing the group.
As tensions rise and emotions boil over, the group is further tested by the arrival of a group of German tourists, a busload of holidaying students, and an iguana that Shannon has taken under his wing. Ultimately, the characters are forced to confront their innermost fears and desires in a dramatic finale.
The film is set in the beach town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and helped establish the location as a popular tourist destination. The Night of the Iguana was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and remains a classic of American cinema.
