Nightmare in the Sun (1965)

Introduction
"Nightmare in the Sun" is a low-budget 1965 crime-drama movie directed by John Derek and Marc Lawrence. The motion picture stars Aldo Ray and Ursula Andress, with looks from Sammy Davis Jr., and Derek himself. The film presents an unusual story revolving around a series of regrettable events that result from a casual hitchhike becoming a complicated murder investigation.

Plot & Characters
At the heart of the movie is Aldo Ray who plays a patrolling constable, Sam, in a remote desert town. Ursula Andress plays Marsha Wilson, a beautiful yet oppressed homemaker dissatisfied with her rich, older partner Carl, depicted by Arthur O'Connell. Marsha, in a bid to escape her hazardous marriage, bump into a hitchhiker, a sad and dispirited guy who is merely referred to as the "Boy," played by John Derek. Their encounter sets the narrative's thrilling course.

Their interaction starts innocently, with the Boy offering to assist Marsha fix a blowout. As their rapport builds, Marsha confides in the Boy about her desire to run away from her other half. Unable to resist their shared destination, they take part in a romantic tryst, which is unfortunately interrupted by Marsha's other half, Carl. The fight causes a fatal physical fight between Carl and the Boy, resulting in Carl's death.

The Complication
Sam, who has unrequited feelings for Marsha, comes across Carl's dead body and intuitively concludes that Marsha is the victim. In an effort to save Marsha, he manipulates the criminal offense scene and designs a cover-up story blaming the murder on a fictitious black opponent. His story, regrettably, magnifies the racial tensions existing in the small town and incites turmoil.

On the other hand, the guilt-ridden Boy turns himself in, confessing to the criminal offense and insisting that it was an act of self-defense. Regardless of his confession, the townsfolk, influenced by Sam's misleading story, continue their racially charged mob justice, targeting an innocent black male who had prior confrontations with Carl.

The Climax
In the climax, Marsha, driven by guilt and a sense of justice, steps in the mob in the nick of time to prevent them from lynching the innocent guy. She publicly states the truth about her hubby's death, exonerating the innocent man and linking herself and the Boy. The mob distributes due to absence of a scapegoat to blame, ending the escalating racial tension.

Conclusion
As the truth deciphers, Sam, now ravaged and cornered, admits to his function in the cover-up. The motion picture concludes without absolving any of the flawed characters, leaving the audiences with an extensive consideration on the devastating nature of lies, hidden reality, untamed enthusiasm, and ingrained bigotry.

"Nightmare in the Sun", despite its restricted spending plan and less-stellar performance at the box workplace, marked a significant story that stressed the devastating impacts of racial bias and false information. Its depiction of how personal desires and hatred can result in dreadfully devastating and unintended effects offers a lesson in morality and the pursuit of reality over predisposition.

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