Heaven Knows Mr. Allison
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Movie Reviews of Heaven Knows Mr. Allison
Movie Review: From Heaven
Summary: 5 Stars
Very few war films have a script with just two characters and all the lines in the movie are spoken by those two characters only. One wouldn't think this would be a war film, but it is. This classic WWII war film focuses on the pinacole of opposite human beings, thrust together and forced to survive on each other's individual strengths. Mr. Allison (R. Mitchum) is the marine who beaches on an island after being cast a drift in the Pacific Ocean for several days. There he searches the island and finds only one living person: a nun. Sister Angela (D. Kerr) is a dedicated nun who accompanied a priest to the island but got marooned there instead, and the priest dying a day or so later. Mr. Allison and Sister Angela work as a team on the island in order to sustain themselves. They do everything together: they gather island fruit, fish for turtles, build a sail, and have deep conversations about each other's contrary occupations and past.
The character of Mr. Allison is brilliantly developed and is easily likeable among viewers. He is portrayed as a big dumb guy, with a soft heart and top marine skills. He's clumsy with words and he's very open about his feelings, which at times puts Sister Angela in uncomfortable positions. Equally developed is Sister Angela, who is greatly sympathized by the many stresses she is forced to endure. She rarely speaks unless spoken to by Mr. Allison, as she is obviously uncomfortable around him half the time. But as the picture progresses, she becomes more and more accustomed with having him around and a mutual fondness for each other develops.
The film is highly original and thorougly entertaining. Although it's a movie about a man and woman, it is not a romance. Even though they are alone on an island together, there's no hint of carnal pleasure for each other. Instead, the movie shows how a man and woman can form a relationship of trust, not just in order to survive, but because they are alone together. It is a movie of friends, not lovers, which is very unusual of Hollywood. The results are phenominally entertaining and realistic.
Since it is a war film, there are explosions and guns and some action sequences, but most of it is toned down. Set in the Pacific Theatre during WWII, there are Japanese marines depicted in the film, but no characters are established amongst them. If any criticism is due for this film it is the need for a more satisfactory ending. There is quite a bit of silence throughout the movie, a lot of sounds from the ocean and exotic birds chirping. It's as relaxing as it is entertaining.
The film is rated G, there is no language (certainly not from Sister Angela!) and no indecency of any kind. Some blood, but it's not worth hiding a kid's eyes over. Only if one is offended by Catholicism or someone getting drunk on Japanese liquor would this film have any form of warnings at all.
To summarize, Heaven Knows Mr. Allison is an original kind of war movie with highly developed characters. It's an uncommon film in today's market of entertainment in regards to what a man and woman can do together. This film shows the sexes not at odds or in lust with each other, but shows them as a team working toward a common goal. It's easily a family film and a movie worth watching time and again.
Movie Review: Perfect Casting
Summary: 5 Stars
"The African Queen," director John Huston's other foray into very similar territory (rough man & religious woman forge friendship to survive against nature and enemy in wartime), is justly celebrated as a classic and an acting tour de force for leads Bogart and Hepburn. I only wish "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" got as much attention as TAQ since I think it is an equally splendid movie. Mitchum and Kerr are perfectly cast and give outstanding performances in their roles as as a battle-hardened Marine and a dedicated nun. The acting fireworks in "African Queen" are great, but I actually think I prefer the exquisite subtlety of Mitchum & Kerr's approach here, where the conflict between the characters is not as volatile as in TAQ and therefore calls for even greater amounts of calibration and control in body language, facial expressions and tone of voice from the actors. Follow Mitchum's many successive emotions during the proposal scene -- desire, hesitation, courageous candor, disappointment, humiliation, and finally face-saving stoicism -- and you witness a flawless and masterfully intelligent piece of acting, with Kerr just as perfect in her responses and counterpoint (including Sister Angela's reaction to knowing she has just crushed this man who, for perhaps the first and only time in his life, has completely revealed his heart to anyone).This is a wonderful character study of two people who are simultaneously polar opposites (warrior vs. woman of peace; street-tough vs. refined) and yet twin souls (courageous, loyal, unselfish, and duty-bound, one to the Marines and the other to Christ). Their attraction to one another is just as natural as their parting in the end (each following their duty) is inevitable, albeit bittersweet. Kudos to the filmmakers for not lapsing into sentimentality or cliches. Every creative choice for these characters is perfect.
This film would, of course, make a great companion piece to "The African Queen" for comparison and contrast, but it also stands quite well on its own as a first-rate story, well told and well acted.
Movie Review: 20th Century FOX WAR CLASSIC now on WideScreen DVD!
Summary: 5 Stars
20th Century Fox has done an OUTSTANDING job remastering & digital transferring to DVD many of their World War II movies under the heading of FOX WAR CLASSICS!"Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" is the best of this series thus far. This 1957 film is presented beautifully in Delux Color & Anamorphic WideScreen (automatically adjusts to your tv size including 16:9 HDTV) format.
Summary: John Huston directs this outstanding story about two of the dearest, most delightful & wonderful people who must survive together in the Southern Pacific during World War II. Sister Angelia (Deborah Kerr - absolutely fantastic (Oscar Nominated for Best Actress)) as a missionary nun and U.S. Marine Corporal Allison (Robert Mitchum - perfectly casted truly) who are stranded on an island in Japanese occupied territory. Their 2 faiths (hers in God & his in the Corps)bring them together and provide each other the strength to overcome over whelming odds.
"Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" is a great family picture. Is so delightful & entertaining (the story line is a pleasant surprise). Kerr & Mitchum are magical together. Don't miss this one. I guarantee you will be watching this one more than once. This is a great movie to buy!!
Get out the popcorn & see a Great WideScreen DVD movie today. Find out why "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison"? Enjoy.
Special Features include: 1957 Movietone News (including Heaven Knows Mr.Allison clip), Theatrical Trailer & Fox War Classic Trailers.
Movie Review: A good love story that's also exciting to watch..
Summary: 5 Stars
Heaven Knows Mr. Allison is one of those feel good movies thats fun to watch with a good love story and more than enough excitement to keep the viewer interested. It's the story of a shipwrecked U.S. marine (Robert Mitchem) who finds himself stranded on a deserted island. Stranded that is except for the nun (Deborah Kerr) and about 1000 Japanese soldiers who keep coming and going throughout the film as if they cant make up their minds how important occupying the island really is? The movie then becomes not only a struggle to survive the island and its lack of food and water? But also a struggle to avoid detection by the Japanese while keeping their romantic feelings for each other in check? The acting by both Mitchem and Kerr (who won a best actress oscar nomination for her role) is superb. And the ending in which Mitchem once again finds himself crucial to the war effort by taking out the Japanese big guns before the American invasion add up to a fun and very entertaining film that doesn't leave a bad taste in the viewers mouth. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!Movie Review: For Mackeral Eaters and Those Alike
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember in an interview with Robert Mitchum prior to his death when asked his favorite film without missing a beat he said "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison". This is high praise from someone who made such classics as "Night of the Hunter" and "The Sundowners". After watching it you can see why. The film is essentially a two character story (the occupying Japanese soldiers are in essence extras) which gives Mitchum the opportunity to stretch his acting muscles. As a co-star you can't have one better than Deborah Kerr. The film also demonstrates the tender side of director John Huston, a man known more for his cynicism and dark humor. Sure, there is a certain degree of action and tension in the film. At it's heart, though, it's about love of the unrequited nature and that's the most painful love there can be. I saw this film many years ago on the late show (pre-cable) and it stayed with me. "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" has lost none of it's resonance years later. A gem.