Beat the Devil

1953, Comedy/Drama, 1h 32m

18 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

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Beat the Devil Photos

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Movie Info

In this John Huston film -- which features an unusual mix of adventure, comedy and crime elements -- Billy (Humphrey Bogart) and Maria Dannreuther (Gina Lollobrigida) are among a number of travelers stranded in Italy en route to Africa. While the Dannreuthers seem like an average couple, they have the same goal as Mrs. Gwendolen Chelm (Jennifer Jones) and some of their other shifty companions -- to lay claim to property that is supposedly rich with uranium.
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    John Huston
  • Producer:
    John Huston, Humphrey Bogart
  • Writer:
    James Helvick, Truman Capote, John Huston
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Hollywood Classics, Reel Media International [us], Columbia TriStar Home Video, United Artists, Madacy Entertainment Group Inc. [us], LS Video
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono
  • Aspect Ratio:
    35mm, Flat (1.37:1)

Cast & Crew

Humphrey Bogart
Billy Dannreuther
Jennifer Jones
Mrs. Gwendolen Chelm
Gina Lollobrigida
Maria Dannreuther
Robert Morley
Peterson (crook No. 1)
Peter Lorre
Julius O'Hara (crook No. 2)
Edward Underdown
Harry Chelm
Ivor Barnard
Maj. Jack Ross (crook No. 3; aka The Galloping Major)
Marco Tulli
Ravello (crook No. 4)
Mario Perrone
Purser, SS Nyanga
Alex Pochet
Hotel manager (uncredited)
Aldo Silvani
Charles (restaurant owner)
John Huston
Director
James Helvick
Writer
Truman Capote
Writer
John Huston
Writer
John Huston
Producer
Humphrey Bogart
Producer
Franco Mannino
Original Music
Oswald Morris
Cinematography
Ralph Kemplen
Film Editing
Wilfred Shingleton
Art Director
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Critic Reviews for Beat the Devil

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (13) | Rotten (5)
Full Review… Kevin Maher Times (UK) Full Review… Jason Bailey Flavorwire Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Full Review… Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Full Review… Yasser Medina Cinemaficionados Full Review… Jesús Fernández Santos El Pais (Spain) Full Review… Josephine O'Neill Daily Telegraph (Australia) Full Review… Eric Monder Film Journal International Full Review… Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Full Review… Phil Hall Film Threat Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Full Review… Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid
View All Critic Reviews (18)

Audience Reviews for Beat the Devil

  • Sep 05, 2010
    A great cast in a great movie about a bunch of thieves. I highly recommend this movie.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Jan 17, 2010
    Not 1 of Bogarts best
    Brody M Super Reviewer
  • Jul 25, 2009
    One of those on-the-fence movies that doesn't make any egregious mistakes, yet doesn't offer enough for a recommendation either. Bogart is only OK in this mild Maltese Falconesque spoof, added inside jokery comes with the inclusion of Peter Lorre but he sadly has little to do. Robert Morley comes off best in the Sydney Greenstreet role as the shady financier. I didn't care at all for Jennifer Jones who runs about her emotions like a headless chicken, but one word will suffice for Gina Lollobrigida - wow. A promising idea, made moreso with a script by director John Huston and Truman Capote(!), failing to deliver satisfactorily.
    Doctor S Super Reviewer
  • Jun 17, 2009
    with more fast shuffling than any fred and ginger effort, and much like "the usual suspects" wherein all are guilty until...well, forget about 'em not being guilty is all, and with a wink and a smile tossed in for spice, this is a bankers holiday for all involved and it shows. jennifer jones nearly steals the show and would if there wasn't such stiff competition. not an honest scene in this stew of lovable rogues out for a con.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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