Beat the Devil

Beat the Devil

Adventure, comedy, by John Huston, United States, 1953.
The film begins with a group of very varied and ambiguous characters who find themselves in an Italian port waiting for a boat to go to Africa. The group consists of Billy Dannreuther (played by Humphrey Bogart) and his wife Maria (played by Gina Lollobrigida), Charles "O'Hara" (played by Peter Lorre) and his wife Gwendolen (played by Jennifer Jones), as well as an eccentric and wealthy British gentleman, Peterson (played by Robert Morley). These characters, along with others, are all interested in going to a uranium mine in Africa to exploit its potential profits. However, each of them hide their secrets and hidden motivations. As they wait for their transport, they spend their time interacting and trying to decipher each other's true goals. During the journey, tensions and betrayals emerge between the members of the group. The Dannreuthers are revealed to be trying to dupe the other members, Peterson is trying to protect his own financial interests, and O'Hara appears to have a connection to a mysterious hidden diamond. Meanwhile, the idea arises that the mine may be a scam and that the plan may be doomed to fail. The story becomes increasingly chaotic, with unexpected twists and intrigues.

The film is based on a novel of the same name by James Helvick (pseudonym of Claud Cockburn) and is a grotesque comedy that mixes elements of adventure, noir and comedy, often with a satirical tone. The cast of is remarkable and includes actors such as Humphrey Bogart, Jennifer Jones, Gina Lollobrigida, Peter Lorre and Robert Morley. The film was initially advertised as a serious thriller, but in the end it turned out to be very different from the public's expectations, with a lighter and more ironic tone. Although it was a box office failure and received mixed reviews upon its release, over the years it has become a cult film due to its unique style and outlandish nature. It was praised for its daring blending of genres and the eccentric performances of the cast. It is a film that stands out for its unconventional approach and its blend of different elements. His reputation has grown over the years, and today he is often held up as an example of how cinema can experiment with the boundaries of genres and audience expectations.

LANGUAGE: English
SUBTITLES: Spanish, French, German, Portuguese

Beat the Devil