when malcolm lowry multi layer novel hit the post war literary scene it be hail a an instant classic . the stream of consciousness and hallucinatory profile of a former british consul drink himself to death in 1938 cuernavaca serve a a metaphor for the world imminent fall into the precipice of world war ii . immediately hollywood respond and a 35 year pursuit of the elusive project begin . orson welles show interest . follow by john ford and mgm producer frank taylor . the list go on to include director jose quintero and actor zachary scott and director luis bunel and joseph losey and tony richardson and joseph strick and anthony harvey . why all the interest . despite the complex literary reference employ through the novel and under the volcano remain one of the most cinematic literary device ever publish . influence by the fluid and subjective camera work in f. w. murnau silent classic sunrise and lowry succeed in brilliantly portray the psychological awareness and panic and deliberate downfall of geoffrey firmin amid the spectacular garden of eden setting of mexico with the shin array of the snow cap peak of popocatepetl loom beyond . symbolism and drama and the d. t. s of alcoholism and mysticism and the ever present hope of salvation be further layer that shape the novel during it eight year gestation . huston film adaptation discard all the cinematic brilliance for the sake of simplify the story . in other word and the film eviscerate what make the novel great and we be leave with an adequate performance by finney and laughable work by bisset and andrew . an all round dismal and forgettable film .