We're No Angels
Tags: romantic

Plot synopsis:
Three convicts – Joseph, Albert and Jules – escape from prison on Devil's Island just before Christmas and arrive at a nearby French colonial town. They go to a store managed by the Ducotel family, the only one to give supplies on credit. While there, they notice its roof is leaking, and offer to fix it. They do not actually intend to, but decide to remain there until nightfall, when they will steal clothes and supplies and escape on a ship waiting in the harbor. As they wait, they find that the small family of Felix, Amelie, and daughter Isabelle, is in financial distress and offer their services to hide the trio's all-too-sinister ruse. Joseph even gets to work conning people and falsifying records to make the store prosperous. However, the three felons begin to have a change of heart after they fix a delicious Christmas dinner for the Ducotels made mostly of stolen items.
Tensions heighten after store owner Andre Trochard arrives from Paris with his nephew Paul, the light in Isabelle's eye. The Trochards plan on taking over the store, which they perceive is unprofitable due to its use of credit. It turns out that Paul is betrothed to another woman, to Isabelle's dismay. Before any action can be taken, both men are bitten by Albert's pet viper, Adolphe, and die nearly instantly. Isabelle finds another love, and the family is happy as the convicts finally ready for their postponed escape. However, while waiting on the docks for their boat to arrive, the threesome reconsiders. Judging that the outside world is likely to be worse than that of the prison, they decide to turn themselves back in. As they walk toward it at film's end halos appear over their heads...followed by one above the cage of Adolphe.

Review: It's absolutely fascinating to watch Bogart in a light comedy role, and to see a young(er) Peter Ustinov as a wife-murdering safe-cracker with a heart.
This is a wonderful, if unconventional, Christmas movie, although it is great fun to watch at any time of the year.
The film combines the witty nuttiness of Marx Brothers humor with some of the slapstick style of the Three Stooges and comes up as a wonderful comedy.The whole cast is great, but Bogart is the real star in every respect.
3 convicts escape from a jail on Devils island during Christmas, they make plan to rob a local store, but befriend the shop keeper and his family.Three great lead characters in Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov play the convicts.
Bogart plays his character without flaw and surprising to see him in this humorous role, while young Ustinov and Ray also play great characters that assist the shop keep and his family during a difficult Christmas.This movie wasn't what I was expecting especially after seeing 1989 movie with the same name staring De Niro and Penn, but I guess it was far better because i had a smile on my face throughout the whole movie.
Rathbone plays the deliciously evil antagonist Cousin Andre, perfect in his role as the villain you love to hate which he pulls off with his usual deadpan style (has he ever played the good guy in any role?) Ustinov and Ray are perfect sidekicks for Bogart, their comedic style completely complements his.
Our three in this film are Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray who escape from Devil's Island and are now among hundreds of other paroled convicts in the French West Indies at the turn of the last century.
Then of course comes the Christmas visit of a tyrannical cousin played with relish by Basil Rathbone whom they work for and the convicts work becomes a pleasure.They are aided of course by a pet coral snake named Adolph that Ray keeps in a straw basket.
In many ways Adolph is almost divinely driven to do his duty.Humphrey Bogart who was an unsuccessful embezzler in the film has a nice light touch for deadpan comedy.
Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray star in this film about three escapees from Devil's Island and how they affix themselves in the lives of Leo G.
If you are a Bogart or Ustinov fan you deserve to treat yourself to this little gem.Aldo Ray is simply wonderful as the muscular backup to our three angels.
Villainously remade in 1989, the original "We're no Angels" is a lyrically beautiful tale of the most unlikely sort.Three escaped convicts on Devil's Island plan to rob and murder an innocent family until they become absorbed in their comically desperate lives.
Maintaining a light comedy throughout, without once devolving into farce, "We're no Angels" is wickedly charming and deviously funny, owing in no small part to the epic talent of its all-star cast."We're no Angels" stars Aldo Ray, Peter Ustinov, and Humphrey Bogart, all marvelous and at the peak of their prowess, and is directed by Michael Curtiz, whose most notable efforts include not only Academy Award winning "Mildred Pierce", Joan Crawford's triumphant comeback film, but also another Humphrey Bogart masterpiece, "Casablanca." There is a heartwarming Christmas theme throughout the film, but it never gets overly saccharine.
Basil Rathbone plays the evil cousin from France with villainous aplomb.Why this film is not better known escapes me.
Here he's joined by Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray. The three of them are escaped convicts from Devil's Island who become involved with a store owner (Leo J.
They wind up giving the family a Christmas they'll never forget, in more ways than one.This is a wonderful holiday film from the French play "My Three Angels" that retains some of the French sentence structure - which sounds hilarious coming from the lips of the likes of Bogart and Aldo Ray. It makes the film all the more delightful.The acting is terrific from the three stars and also the rest of the cast.Highly recommended..
Instead I got a comedy, and a very good one at that.Incredibly sharp dialogue and some devilishly clever and funny sub-plots make this an hilarious movie.
Add in the fact that it is set at Christmas, and there is a great amount of Christmas sentimentality and fun involved too.The other things that carry the movie are the performances of Bogart and, especially, Peter Ustinov.
Sometimes you feel he is just reciting his lines without any sense of timing or tone, but others then hit the mark well.Good support from Joan Bennett, Basil Rathbone, Leo Carroll and Gloria Talbott.A must-see, especially at Christmas..
In Christmas, three prisoners - Joseph (Humphrey Bogart), Albert (Aldo Ray) and Jules (Peter Ustinov) - escape from the Devil Island to a French small coastal town.
A Christmas isn't complete without seeing this movie and remembering a time when cinematic comedies didn't have to involve profanity and sex, even when the protagonists are admittedly desperate criminals..
I have seen this film countless times, and it is one of those gems that gives you a good feeling and at times brings a tear because its so good.You become so involved with the plot and characters that you feel as thought you are part of that family and hope that this wonderful film and story continues on for ever.Its sad that these days not many films are made that entertain as this one has with its magical way to make you forget that the world at times can be a violent place.Give yourself treat if you have seen this video/DVD on the shelves and was not sure if its worthwhile, believe me pick it up and see it, you will be pleasantly satisfied as i was and continue to.
A rather unusual role for Humphrey Bogart who normally played heavies but nevertheless he and his co-stars Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray typically bring a smile to your face and whenever the combination of the three are on screen, the film truly shines.
Best to stick to the bland.There lies the modern day problem.For Bogart (at the time this film was made) to say something like " We'll bash their skulls, gouge their eyes, then slit their throats, but first we'll do the dishes" said a lot about the man.
What a lovely film it turned out to be, with Bogey leading an excellent cast in a charming story with great heart.
They bluff store owner Felix into letting them repair his roof, from here they plan to execute their robbery, but the more that the escapees observe this family, the more they find humane personas coming from within.Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov take up the task of playing our villains who find hearts, where backed up with witty dialogue amongst the very tidily scripted piece, the result is a hugely enjoyable picture for all the family to enjoy.
Witness Bogart in a pink apron!Aldo Ray, perhaps not unsurprisingly, seems a touch out of place and looks swamped by the acting talent either side of him, but he does what is needed and his characters' pet snake, Adolphe, is the crucial meat in this films sandwich.
Carroll as the hapless Felix Ducotel, charmingly oblivious to what is around him, Carroll gets the audience on board with a smashingly effective turn.Perhaps viewed as a Christmas movie by many, it is however a film that can be watched at anytime of the year, a testament to what a good script can do for comedy.
And no one delivers it better than the fabulous cast, particularly Bogart, Ustinov, Ray and Rathbone!!
I don't know, but 'static' is not a word I would apply to that film.) The first fifteen or twenty minutes of this one are basically filled with Bogart, Ustinov and Ray up on the roof watching and listening as the Ducotel family rolls out their long list of woes.
A wonderful cast, with Bogart in a rare "good guy" role, makes this movie a delight to watch and enjoy year-round.
Almost every member of the small cast is a screen icon, and from a completely different genre: Humphrey Bogart, the quintessential tough guy gangster, Peter Ustinov, famous for his decadent Nero, Aldo Ray, sunny, smiling, cracked-voice blonde athlete and hunk, Joan Bennett, a film noir femme fatale, Leo G.
Carroll, famous for playing fastidious gentlemen, and Basil Rathbone, the evil antagonist in swashbuckler sword duels.Here, though, they are merely old pros, trading the film's stagey, black humor lines with calm aplomb.
When hunky, escaped murderer Aldo Ray cracks to Basil Rathbone, playing a Snidely Whiplash style villain, "You frighten me," the line is funny enough to be worth seeing the film for.When not delivering their lines, the actors here seem almost to dance with each other; the film is like choreography.
Each star has his or her own distinctive body language and it all comes together humorously.The film's very quiet, dark humor and literate script tell a fantastic tale: three convicts, escaped from Devil's Island, fall into a failing bourgeois merchant's household and manage to turn their Caribbean holiday into a real Christmas.
This fabulous black comedy about three convicts who are planning steal and kill to escape of Devil's Island....but somehow they get involved with a good family and make everything to help them....fantastic christmas tale well adapted to the big screen,all casting is delightful colored,the three convicts are irretrievable from human nature,good when needs to be,and a little bad for a few seconds only,in every single scene is an exercise of full pleasure,a smart dialogues is like a flowers scent,funny jokes with a bit black irony...anyway a must to see...one the greatest and innovative comedy of all time!!!Great Boggie!!!!Resume:First watch: 1985 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 9.25.
Bogart isn't exactly famous for his comedy, but he's magnificently funny in this, and while Ustinov is one of my favorite people (as actor, writer, director and raconteur), and while he's in good form in this film, he's outclassed by Bogart.
Carroll are also first-rate, as usual, and the whole movie has a kind of black charm that makes this a far better film than its reputation (such as it is) would have you believe..
You won't be disappointed if you like Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, Peter Ustinov, Leo Carroll, and Basil Rathbone just to name a few of the great actors in this film.
Peter Ustinov, Humphrey Bogart and Aldo Ray were really funny in this movie.
Also, there is a bit of sardonic humor which is exquisitely delivered by the three leading protagonists...Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray.
Christmas was complete the year I finally found this on video - The plot is unique, the main characters (Bogart, Ustinov and Ray) are totally lovable rogues; Leo G.
The chuckles come from how the three use their criminal skills to help the family's failing business, which is also about to be foreclosed by a hard-hearted cousin Andre (Rathbone) and his grasping son Paul (Baer).Now when thinking laughs, Bogart, Ray, and Ustinov don't come to mind.
Joseph (Humphrey Bogart), Jules (Peter Ustinov) and Albert (Aldo Ray) are 3 convicts who have escaped from Devil's Island to a French coastal town.
However, when they start to get to know the put upon shopkeeper Felix Ducotel (Leo G Carroll) and learn of the various problems that he is experiencing with his family the three escaped convicts have a change of heart.We're no angels is a mostly enjoyable comedy which unfortunately suffers from rather uneven pacing.
There are some funny moments to be found in the first half such as Joseph and his uncanny knack of being able to convince customers to buy absolute rubbish that they originally had no intention of buying - he actually reminded me of a slightly more slick 'Arkwright' from 'Open All Hours' minus the brown jacket and stutter.The picture does pick up when cousin Andre shows up; Basil Rathbone gives an acting master class here and is easily the best actor in this film.
Like I say though once Andre arrives on the scene the picture is incredibly funny and the way that the 3 convicts help the family and ultimately deal with Andre is a joy to behold - the convicts aren't able to do this alone though and call upon Albert's little friend Adolf to help.The film does have a couple of problems such as a far-fetched scenario involving the shopkeeper willing to accept help from a group of convicts in the first place.
Another issue I had with this film is that our trio come across as being a bit too nice making it hard to believe that they were capable of committing the crimes that led to their original imprisonment.We're no angels is imperfect and suffers from both uneven pacing and uneven direction, but once it hits the hour mark it very rarely lets up and this is mainly due to the wonderful camaraderie between the 3 leads (whose performances were all excellent).
On the positive side, this film has Bogart, Usitnov, Rasibone, and a cast of supporting characters, a great director, and great diverely of clever lines patch together the implausible plot, to the point that the movie is a little gem.
Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray (along with Adolph, the snake) are fantastic as escaped convicts with rather dubious plans for a shop owner and his family.
Peter Ustinov is superb as is Aldo Ray. The three seem to play off each other so well that it's easy to get lost in the story.Though the movie starts a little slow it picks up the pace fairly quickly and doesn't let up.
As the three convicts come undergo significant character change teaming up against a Basil Rathbone (who plays a great villain).I must say that this movie has what I feel is one of the funniest scenes I have seen in any movie ever (a laugh-so-hard-it-hurts scene).
But this is one of my all-time favorite movies, and I will add my voice to the overwhelmingly-positive reviews.They just don't come much better than this, and watching the film again (as I have just done, as Christmas is approaching) is a blend of delight and a bit of wistfulness that these fine actors are no longer with us.
Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray are the motley trio of convicts who escape from prison on devil's island just before Christmas in this festive comedy.
From the aerial view, they observe his wife (Joan Bennett) and love-lorn daughter (Gloria Talbott) and it isn't long before they descend to lend the family their unique help!Basil Rathbone appears as Felix's scrooge cousin - there are some great exchanges between him and Bogart.
Bogart gives a wonderful dead-pan performance, ably supported by a youthful Ustinov and Ray, and you end up rooting for them as they do their best to solve the family's problems!
I mean, the 3 convicts of 1955's "We're No Angels" - That's Curly (Aldo Ray), Larry (Peter Ustinov), and Moe (Humphrey Bogart).Set in the year 1895 (seriously) - "We're No Angels" has these 3 stooges....
Like - Duh!Containing dialogue that was loaded with the most callous cynicism imaginable - I thought that of the 3 actors playing the lead roles - It was, undoubtedly, Bogart who was the most painfully annoying one when it came to trying to be funny.Like - Believe me - His performance was absolutely cringe-worthy.Anyway - The only character in "We're No Angels" who won his stars for comic effect was, of course, Adolph, the snake..
Consider the casting for the three leads in "We're No Angels" - Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray. It doesn't seem to work on paper, but in this film, the trio have such a comedic rapport that the film winds up a delight.
what else but a light weight Christmas comedy?Bogart plays Joseph a master forger and ringleader of the convicts.
Bogart, a long-time friend, came through for Joan by recommending her for the role in WE'RE NO ANGELS.The film starts in French Guiana, a few days before Christmas.
Watch the scene wherein Joseph, Albert, and Jules argue among themselves as how to warn Andre before he figures out how to open Adolphe's box to see three masters at work making it look like play.
The way people walk in and walk off make this seem play-like as does its rather confined manner--it's almost entirely set within one house.The movie begins with three prisoners (Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray) escaping from one of the prisons on in French Guiana.
It's Christmas on devil's island and Ray, along with Humphrey Bogart and Peter Ustinov, escape from prison, and hide out in the shop of kind-hearted but broke Leo G.
I found and decided to watch that film as I looked for a Christmas movie to see during the holidays.
And got rewarded.A rather unusual trio of Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov star as three escapees in 1895 Devil's island who find refuge in a store owned by a family in financial trouble on Christmas Eve. Their first thought is to rob them and flee, of course, but they seem to be rather good-natured and helpful to the family when they encounter their problems.
A pet rattlesnake owned by Ray's character and named "Adolphe" provides help when needed.Although the film depicts convicts, crimes and even deaths, it's a pure comedy.
It's a little weird to watch Bogie play in one, but the truth is that Ray, Ustinov and Rathbone are much more funnier than him.
Coincidentially, there was another film in 1955 depicting three escaped convicts finding refuge in a house where a family lives, The Desperate Hours, and it also starred Bogart.
Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov (with his pet snake), and Aldo Ray escape from Devil's Island, and reach port as the first step to permanent freedom.