Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- roguish
- witty
- sardonic
- classic movie night
- retro crime comedy night
What critics said
Critics generally value the film's roguish ensemble, witty dialogue, and unusual camp sensibility, while finding its plot loose and its verbal comedy uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The quartet's uranium scheme, lies, and shifting claims are presented through roguish banter and parody.
The characters misrepresent their identities, cargo, motives, and business plans while waiting for passage to Africa.
The stranded freighter, African destination, and supposed uprising are filtered through conversational spoof and unreliable schemes.
The four crooks, the Dannreuthers, and other travelers repeatedly reassess one another's designs.
Films like Beat the Devil, and why
The Ladykillers
A witty, morally slippery crime caper centered on deception and opportunistic criminals.
The Trouble with Harry
Shares an international criminal scheme, black humor, and an ensemble of unreliable schemers.
The Palm Beach Story
A sardonic adventure parody in which criminal plans unravel through eccentric character interactions.
Movie Details
- Director
- John Huston
- Release Date
- 1953-11-24
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (180)
Cast
- Humphrey Bogart
- Jennifer Jones
- Gina Lollobrigida
- Robert Morley
- Peter Lorre
- Edward Underdown
- Ivor Barnard
- Marco Tulli
- Bernard Lee
- Mario Perrone
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, Brew, YouTube TV, MGM Plus, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Great American Pure Flix Amazon Channel, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Beat the Devil about?
- A stranded quartet of schemers turns an Italian port stop and an African uranium plot into a sly, chaotic comedy of lies and shifting alliances.
- What is Beat the Devil like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Beat the Devil as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Beat the Devil violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Beat the Devil.
- What did critics think of Beat the Devil?
- Critics generally value the film's roguish ensemble, witty dialogue, and unusual camp sensibility, while finding its plot loose and its verbal comedy uneven.
- Which films are like Beat the Devil?
- Films with a similar feel include The Ladykillers, The Trouble with Harry, and The Palm Beach Story.
- How long is Beat the Devil?
- Beat the Devil runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Beat the Devil?
- In United States, Beat the Devil streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, Brew, YouTube TV, MGM Plus, FlixFling, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Great American Pure Flix Amazon Channel, Artiflix.
