Overview
A cargo ship in the Pacific becomes a battleground for ambition and authority during World War II.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- irreverent
- warm
- classic movie night
- war film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an entertaining and warmly performed classic that combines strong comedy with affectionate wartime character drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Roberts and the crew repeatedly challenge Captain Morton's arbitrary rules and personal abuses aboard the cargo ship.
Roberts longs to leave the quiet cargo ship for combat duty while the crew remains stuck in repetitive Pacific service.
The cargo ship functions simultaneously as military posting, workplace, and closed social world for Roberts, Pulver, Doc, and the crew.
Pulver's evasive schemes and the crew's comic quarrels coexist with Roberts's serious desire to serve meaningfully.
Films like Mister Roberts, and why
The Dirty Dozen
shared blend of wartime drama, irreverent ensemble comedy, and conflict with rigid military authority
Stalag 17
shared classic Hollywood war setting, comic relief, and camaraderie among servicemen under pressure
The Caine Mutiny
shared Pacific War backdrop, anti-authoritarian humor, and friction between enlisted personnel and commanding officers
The Great Escape
shared warm military ensemble, comic insubordination, and emphasis on morale rather than combat spectacle
Movie Details
- Directors
- John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy
- Release Date
- 1955-07-10
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (186)
Cast
- Henry Fonda
- James Cagney
- William Powell
- Jack Lemmon
- Betsy Palmer
- Ward Bond
- Philip Carey
- Nick Adams
- Perry Lopez
- Ken Curtis
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mister Roberts about?
- A principled naval officer battles a tyrannical captain and shipboard stagnation while his irreverent crew turns wartime duty into a comic rebellion.
- What is Mister Roberts like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mister Roberts as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Mister Roberts violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Mister Roberts.
- What did critics think of Mister Roberts?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an entertaining and warmly performed classic that combines strong comedy with affectionate wartime character drama.
- Which films are like Mister Roberts?
- Films with a similar feel include The Dirty Dozen, Stalag 17, The Caine Mutiny, and The Great Escape.
- How long is Mister Roberts?
- Mister Roberts runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mister Roberts?
- In United States, Mister Roberts is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
