Review of The Comedians (1967) by Allan C — 21 Feb 2016

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor vehicle based around a Graham Greene novel, which the author adapted himself, though this one is a far cry from "The Third Man" or "The Fallen Idol." The story revolves around Burton romancing a diplomat's wife, Taylor, in a Papa Doc led Haiti that's ruled by terror.

It's actually a setting that seems ripe for a Green story of political intrigue and personal character dynamics, but the characters are not compelling and the story has a dull pace, but the film's terrific cast (Alec Guinness, Peter Ustinov, Lillian Gish, Georg Stanford Brown, Roscoe Lee Browne, Gloria Foster, James Earl Jones, Zakes Mokae, Cicely Tyson, Raymond St.

Jacques) manage to keep it watchable. There's also a fine score by Laurence Rosenthal that also help with the atmosphere. Overall, the film is worth checking out for fans of Liz and Dick, but don't watch the film if you're looking for a fine Graham Greene tale.