A complex political film. The viewpoint continually shifs--pragmatic, idealistic, paternalistic, Marxist by turns--but in the process it introduces us to many interesting characters. And what performances! Muni is uncharacteristically restrained as Juarez, Aherne gives the performance of his career as the noble but naive Maimilian, and Davis is mesmerizing as the mad Empress Carlotta, not to mention good work by Garfield, Crisp, Rains, Sondergaard. A fine ensemble cast.