Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- cheerful
- whimsical
- irreverent
- lazy sunday
- cult movie night
What critics said
Critics and retrospective commentators recognized the film's cheerful anarchist charm and tropical cult appeal, while faulting its uneven direction and limited comic ideas.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Banana Joe confronts licensing authorities and a gangster's attempt to seize control of local banana commerce.
Joe is portrayed as a brawny but friendly villager who protects Amantido without abandoning his warm relationship with its children.
The rainforest village, river-port deliveries, and South American setting create the film's distinctive colorful adventure backdrop.
The banana-trading license determines whether Joe can continue his livelihood or face arrest and the impounding of his boat.
Films like Banana Joe, and why
They Call Me Trinity
shared physical comedy, friendly brawler protagonist, and lighthearted conflict with criminal underworld figures
Watch Out, We're Mad
shared Bud Spencer vehicle formula, comic action, broad humor, and anti-authoritarian themes
Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure
shared tropical setting, slapstick action, buddy-comedy energy, and cheerful anarchism
Movie Details
- Director
- Steno
- Release Date
- 1982-03-24
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (519)
Cast
- Bud Spencer
- Marina Langner
- Mario Scarpetta
- Gianfranco Barra
- Enzo Garinei
- Gunther Philipp
- Giorgio Bracardi
- Gisela Hahn
- Nello Pazzafini
- Carlo Reali
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Banana Joe about?
- A good-natured rainforest banana trader battles a gangster’s scheme and absurd bureaucracy with fists, loyalty, and cheerful defiance.
- What is Banana Joe like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Banana Joe as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Banana Joe violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Banana Joe as mild.
- What did critics think of Banana Joe?
- Critics and retrospective commentators recognized the film's cheerful anarchist charm and tropical cult appeal, while faulting its uneven direction and limited comic ideas.
- Which films are like Banana Joe?
- Films with a similar feel include They Call Me Trinity, Watch Out, We're Mad, and Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure.
- How long is Banana Joe?
- Banana Joe runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Banana Joe?
- In United States, Banana Joe streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
