Part rather slow and abstract horror movie, and part travelog, 'The Living Idol' boasts some gorgeous color photography of 1950's Mexico, both urban and the jungle. The plot concerns Liliane Montevecchi, the daughter of a Mexican archeological worker whose father is killed under unusual circumstances. Following his death Liliane is taken in by James Robertson Justice, a European archeologist whose lived in Mexico for decades, and his native wife Sara Garcia, both of whom she's known her whole life.
Liliane's dads (accidental?) death occurs during the visit of a family friend, Yankee photo journalist Steve Forrest, who Liliane has been in love with since she was eight. Liliane makes this known to Steve, but Steve thinks she's too young (I think her character is supposed to be around 18). Steve leaves to cover the Korean War and says they'll talk about it when he gets back.
It is several years before Steve makes it back to Mexico, Liliane is now a college student and James is teaching at the university. In the interim James has becoming increasing obsessed with an Aztec legend about a fearsome Jaguar God who demands human sacrifice. Steve determines that James may not be so sane anymore and that Liliane might be in danger.
This movie is beautiful to look at, top notch cinematography, lovely locations and people, I just wish they'd done more with the story, it lacks the heft to properly compliment the visuals. **1/2
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