We're No Angels

Amazon.com

Audiences have always loved the spectacle of tough guys going soft and gooey, and We're No Angels adds the extra sweetener of Yuletide to its mix. The action takes place on Devil's Island, the tropical backwater where the notorious French prison was located. Three convicts, played by Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, and Peter Ustinov, have escaped, and wait only for a ship to leave the next day. In the meantime, they become involved in the financial woes of an island shopkeeper (Leo G. Carroll) and his wife (Joan Bennett) and daughter, whose business is in danger from a rich, nasty relative (Basil Rathbone). Despite the threat of black comedy, especially in the form of a poisonous viper (which Ray carries around in a demure bamboo case), broad cuteness tends to rule the day. While it's not on the list of essential Bogart performances, Bogie does seem to be enjoying himself, and the puckish Ustinov savors his lines like a cow chewing grass. The stage origins of the scenario are all too obvious, and probably contribute to the pokey pacing (Michael Curtiz, who guided Bogart in Casablanca, was perhaps not the ideal choice for this kind of winsome comedy). This 1955 film looks good in comparison to the loose, labored 1989 remake with Robert De Niro and Sean Penn. --Robert Horton

Description

In WE'RE NO ANGLES, three convicts escape from Devil's Island and arrive at a nearby French colonial town. Their plan to steal supplies and clothing from the local store is ruined after they take a liking to the store's owner, especially his attractive daughter.

Customer Reviews:

Cinema Giants have Halos.......2007-08-31

This comedy includes three unlikely commedians, Humphry Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov. Together their interaction with the unsuspecting family is a blend of the 19th century criminal and the sweet innocense they are introduced to. Three criminals escape from the prison on Devils Island and are trying to get onboard the ship leaving the next day. By chance and a touch of larceny they end up in the shop of an honest family and are quickly disarmed. They try to keep up the external toughness but it only reveals their underlying goodness. Until the evil owner (Basil Rathbone) shows up and our three angels have some real targets. The give and take is marvelous. This is quiet, subtle humor developing belly laughs from a look or an expression. Not to be missed.

FABULOUS.......2007-06-13

I was so happy to fine this old movie at Amazon. I had looked at several stores and could not find it. It is a wonderful addition to our library.

Hilarious - an unconventional role for Bogie.......2007-05-19

Bogie, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray play a trio of convicts trying to escape from Devil's Island in the late 1800s. The movie starts as they are roaming around the port city outside the prison looking for a way off the island. They wander into a store looking to rob it, but ultimately befriend the good natured proprietor and decide to help him and his family. The fun really starts when the pennypinching owner of the store (Basil Rathbone of Sherlock Holmes fame!) arrives from France and wants a full accounting of the finances. The three convicts take care of him but good! This is partly a light-hearted romantic comedy and partly a Christmas story. The dialogue and interplay between the three main actors is outstanding. This film probably doesn't merit the five star ratings given by many reviewers. It is far from Bogie's best role, but you'll have quite a few laughs. The scene when Basil Rathbone first arrives with the luggage swirling about is both well choreographed and hilarious. A light-hearted, colorful, uncomplicated and entertaining film - Hollywood doesn't make films like this anymore. Definitely worth a look.

the best.......2007-04-06

one of the best movies of all times. great christmas story line and a must see.

Tongue in cheek.......2007-03-09

Great old movie, all three stars are great, Peter Ustinov hilarious. If you enjoy older movies and clever comedy-give it a try

Average customer rating:

FATHER BROWN......THIS MOVIE GROWS ON YOU!
A Watchable Film
People need a model
A fun film, gets better with repeat viewings
Master OF The Rare LASERDISCS Movies.

We're No Angels
Starring: Robert De Niro , Sean Penn , Demi Moore , Hoyt Axton , and Bruno Kirby
Director: Neil Jordan
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00015HX72
Release Date: 2004-02-17

Amazon.com

It's hard to imagine what any of the extremely talented people involved in this drastic misfire were thinking. Certainly the film was not short of talent: it had director Neil Jordan (The Crying Game), writer David Mamet (The Untouchables), and movie stars Robert De Niro, Sean Penn, and Demi Moore. Instead of remaking the charming 1955 comedy, which starred Humphrey Bogart and Peter Ustinov, Mamet concocted a virtually laugh-free script in which Penn and De Niro play escaped convicts disguised as priests who are supposedly visiting a shrine in a small town. The closest this film comes to comedy is De Niro's embarrassing mugging (it's endless) and Penn's dumb-bunny routine. Suggested for film students who want to learn what not to do. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

FATHER BROWN......THIS MOVIE GROWS ON YOU!.......2007-06-02

This is a very funny movie that seems to get better the more you watch it. DeNero and Penn are great as two escaped convicts posing as priest to get accross the border into Canada. Try it you'll like it! Very funny with an excellent cast.

A Watchable Film.......2007-03-18

This is simply another film that I had seen years ago, a film that I wanted to add to my DVD collection that began not all that long ago.

People need a model .......2007-01-10

This movie makes me think of how great things can be achieved out of lack of choice and desperation and how people imate things without understanding the reasons underneath those things.

A fun film, gets better with repeat viewings.......2005-09-22

Like most viewers (and the critics), I wasn't crazy about this buffoonish comedy when I first saw it in the '80's... but time has been kind to it. This remake of the Humphrey Bogart-Aldo Ray 1955 comedy-drama concerns escaped convicts (cut from 3 down to 2) who disguise themselves as priests and hide out in a boardertown, learning to love the residents if not their new vocations. Robert DeNiro mugs with a surprising vigor (his face seems to be made of rubber) and Sean Penn plays the dumb mug sidekick, and they're OK; but don't forget the supporting cast, which is excellent (particularly Demi Moore as a flooze and John C. Reilly as a seminarian). Production values are incredible (that entire town was built for the film) and there's a rousing climax involving a parade, a statue and a little girl (another great performance). Really not too bad, once you get over the shock of seeing two of our most intense, dramatic actors acting like two outta three stooges.

Master OF The Rare LASERDISCS Movies........2005-07-15

We're No Angels is A MASTERPIECE That Includes Robert deniro,Sean Penn And Demi Moore,I have it on LASERDISC And On DVD too,You will love it :)

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