Saadia on AllMovie

Saadia is an MGM-ized version of the Francis D'Autheville novel Echeck au Destin. Produced, directed and written by the always fascinating Albert Lewin (The Moon and Sixpence, Picture of Dorian Gray), the film stars Cornel Wilde as Si Lahssen, the progressive ruler of the Moroccan province of Anahout. Henrik (Mel Ferrer), Anahout's chief physician, rescues a beautiful dancing girl named Saadia (Rita Gam) on the operating table. In doing so, he is in direct violation of local sorceress Fatima (Wanda Rotha). The sorceress vows to destroy Henrik -- and by extension, Saadia, whom he loves, and Si Lahssen, whom she loves. The film isn't entirely successful, but deserves an A for effort.