Beat the Devil (1953)

 John Huston's "Beat the Devil"


Due to what he felt was a witch hunt by the House Committee on Un-American Activities, John Huston moved to Ireland in 1952. He began making British films, often receiving assistance from his Hollywood buddies, like Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre. His 1953 British film "Beat the Devil" employed these actors, along with the Hollywood star Jennifer Jones. 

Although I felt the film had a promising thematic point, it spirals into an mockish adventure film that left me a bit uninterested. Sure, the concept of rapid Western industrialization and colonization after the Second World War makes for a great set-up. But the execution of this complex themes leaves little to be desired. The film, as put by Huston himself, is simply a spoof of "The Maltese Falcons." While I understand the spoof elements, it doesn't make for a very satisfying or intriguing film. 



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