BEAT THE DEVIL (1953) - ♦♦♦

Directed by - John Huston

Written by - Truman Capote, John Huston, Anthony Veiller, Peter Viertel (based on the novel by James Helvick)

Starring - Humphrey Bogart, Jennifer Jones, Gina Lollobrigida

"After collaborating on many acclaimed pictures together, John Huston and Humphrey Bogart must have thought that if anyone would take a dig at their collaborations, it should be them. The result is Beat the Devil, which truth be told may in fact be their least impressive collaboration. 

The film follows a group of travellers on a steamboat hoping to carry on a swindle on the uranium fields of Northern America. To its credit, Beat the Devil is arguably the first spoof film to date. In it, Humphrey Bogart lends his characteristic and unique charisma in a much more comedic context. 

The story is far too complicated to follow, and that certainly gets in the way of the film's enjoyment. Strange to think a screenplay co-written by the celebrated writer Truman Capote in one of his rare cinematic works should be so bland and unimpressive. All in all, this is a film that has not really stood the test fo time. It is more of a novelty than anything to be taken seriously. A work of fun, supposedly, and truth be told, the fun is pretty evident and occasionally grants a few laughs."

Comedy, UK/USA/Italy