Beat the Devil

1953

Beat the Devil

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

75%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 16

54%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,877
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Movie Info

Humphrey Bogart stars as one of five disreputable adventurers who are trying to get uranium out of East Africa. Bogart's associates include pompous fraud Robert Morley, and Peter Lorre as the German-accented "O'Hara", whose wartime record is forever a source of speculation and suspicion. Becoming involved in Bogart's machinations are a prim British married couple (Edward Underdown and blonde-wigged Jennifer Jones). As a climax to their many misadventures and double-crosses, the uranium seekers end up facing extermination by an Arab firing squad. The satirical nature of Beat the Devil eluded many moviegoers in 1953, and the film was a failure. The fact that the picture attained cult status in lesser years failed to impress its star Humphrey Bogart, who could only remember that he lost a considerable chunk of his own money when he became involved in the project. Peter Viernick worked on the script on an uncredited basis. Beat the Devil eventually fell into public domain, leading to numerous inferior editions by second and third-tiered labels.

Cast

Humphrey Bogart
as Billy Dannreuther
Jennifer Jones
as Mrs. Gwendolen Chelm
Gina Lollobrigida
as Maria Dannreuther
Robert Morley
as Peterson
Peter Lorre
as O'Hara
Edward Underdown
as Harry Chelm
Ivor Barnard
as Major Ross
Bernard Lee
as Insp. Clayton
Marco Tulli
as Ravello
Marion Perroni
as Purser
Alex Pochet
as Hotel Manager
Aldo Silvani
as Charles
Giulio Donnini
as Administrator
Al Silvani
as Charles
Saro Urzì
as Captain of SS Nyanga
Juan de Landa
as Hispano-Suiza Driver
Manuel Serano
as Ahmed - Arab Inquisitor (uncredited)
Mimo Peli
as Barman (uncredited)
Mimmo Poli
as Barman
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Critic Reviews for Beat the Devil

All Critics (16) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (4)

View All Critic Reviews (16)

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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