Review of Beat the Devil (1953) by Kevin R — 22 Nov 2013

Time is a crook.

A group of refugees on their way to Africa run into a strange couple traveling in the same direction. The couple plan to invest in minerals and get rich. That doesn't sound bad to the refugees. Maybe they will tag along with ambitions to initially help, but what true intentions do they have for the couple's fortunes?

"I have a feeling about you and your friends.".

"Correction. Associates.".

John Huston, director of The African Queen, The Maltese Falcon, The Man Who Would be King, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Captain Blood, Prizzi's Honor, Key Largo, and The Asphalt Jungle, delivers Beat the Devil. The storyline for this picture is just okay and a bit disappointing (and stale). I was hoping for more from this Bogart/Huston picture. The acting is fairly good and the cast includes Humphrey Bogart, Jennifer Jones, Peter Lorre, Bernard Lee, Robert Morley, and Gina Lollobrigida.

"You are the hired hand.".

Beat the Devil was playing on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) this Halloween season and I was excited to see this Bogart/Huston collaboration. Unfortunately, this may be one of the worst movies I have seen from either of these gentlemen. I never felt connected with the storyline or particularly connected to the plot. Overall, I'd say this is average and I would skip it.

"I think I hate you.".

Grade: C+.