Beat the Devil

1953

1h 35m

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

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34 Images

Adventure

Comedy

A group of con artists stake their claim on a bogus uranium mine.

Directors

John Huston

Writers

Claud Cockburn(novel by)

Truman Capote(screenplay by)

John Huston(screenplay by)

Stars

Humphrey Bogart

Jennifer Jones

Gina Lollobrigida

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Watch Beat the Devil (1953) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
Clip
Watch Beat the Devil (1953) clip - on BFI Blu-ray from 16 March | BFI

Top cast

Billy Dannreuther

Gwendolen Chelm

Maria Dannreuther

Peterson

Julius O'Hara

Harry Chelm

Maj. Jack Ross

Ravello

Insp. Jack Clayton

Purser on SS Nyanga

Administrator

Captain of SS Nyanga

Hispano-Suiza Driver

Charles

Barman (uncredited)

Billy Dannreuther (voice) (uncredited)

Manuel Serrano

Ahmed (uncredited)

Directors

John Huston

Writers

Claud Cockburn(novel by)

Truman Capote(screenplay by)

John Huston(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

An unlikely group of would-be swindlers find themselves stuck in Italy when their boat (to Africa) breaks down. Theoretically, the four are on their way to sell vacuum cleaners (but really to pick up some ostensibly worthless land - that only they know is a rich source of uranium). Whilst they wait, they meet a British couple and soon the six, somewhat distrustingly, continue their journey. The story isn't really up to very much. It's the characterisations that work well. Humphrey Bogart is great as the seedy but clever foil to the excellent Robert Morley - both make good use of the witty script from Truman Capote and direction from John Huston. Peter Lorre, likewise, always manages to make less look like more - his eyes, shrugs and smiles add much that do not need accompanying words. Gina Lollobrigida rarely made a good film, I think, though. Glamorous, sexy - sure, but talented? I think not - and here she adds very little, unlike Jennifer Jones ("Mrs. Chelm") whose ability to spin a yarn or two would stretch the imagination of Enid Blyton. It runs out of steam a little towards the quite quirky end, but is still a well structured and engaging adventure with just a hint of romance.

Geronimo196701 Dec, 2024