Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Pluskylang Great Film overall

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Josephina Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

mark.waltz So says Aldo Ray, one of three wise con-men in this Avant Garde black comedy. 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. Carroll and Joan Bennett, finding themselves not only fixing the leaky roof but Christmas dinner as well, and eventually their lives. But along comes imperious cousin Basil Rathbone, miserly owner of the shop, and his handsome nephee (John Baer) who broke the heart of Carroll and Bennett's daughter Gloria Talbott because of his desire to get his hands on his uncle's money. It's up to the three crooked angels who have their own ideas of how to handle the nasty Rathbone.Clever, dark and often very sweet, this is the type of film that will provide you with laughs even when you're shocked by the goings on. I was probably horrified by the convict's plans for robbing and killing Bennett and Carroll, but everytime they talk about it, they are delayed by a kindness they perform, such as stealing a live turkey for dinner, doing the dishes and dealing with the arrival of Rathbone and his son. The way they decide to deal with the nasty cousin is extraordinarily clever, not seen yet hysterically dealt with as the three men await for the inevitable. Bennett is still gorgeous, as far from her film noir femme fatale roles as she can be, while Carroll is of course as droll as ever. As for Rathbone, I can't think of anybody else who could play this part. He is the epitome of pompous cruelty yet extremely funny everytime he sneers or barks orders. This is a very well written and clever comedy, directed with a brisk pace by Michael Curtiz. The color photography adds to the delightful atmosphere. Bogart, facing a health crisis around the corner, shows no signs of slowing down, and everyone seems to be having a blast. While this was remade in the 1990's, I'd be hard-pressed to watch it concerning how enjoyable the original is.

SimonJack This film has the most incongruous, far-fetched collection of actors of any film I can recall. And, why not? With such a wacky script and unusual plot, it calls for such diversity. "We're No Angels" is one of the most unusual – and original, comedies ever made. The entire cast shine in this hilarious film. It takes a short time to get up to speed, but that helps we viewers understand a little better what it's all about. It help us make sense out of what follows. Three convicts look down from roof windows on a family as its characters are introduced and they talk about their travails. And yet, the three pop in and out of the story, by simple trips down the ladder and then back up again. They are supposed to be repairing the roof. It's a novel convention and creative derivation from the old Hollywood techniques of heavenly creatures looking down on things below, or the more standard narrator telling a story. In this method though, the characters in the technique are part of the story at the outset and all along. By the time they come down off the roof for good, the comedy moves into high gear and it never lets up. I wonder how Paramount managed to cast the three male leads together. Humphrey Bogart is Joseph, a white-collar con man and head of the group. Peter Ustinov is Jules, the deft lock and safe opener. And, Aldo Ray is Albert, the slow-witted but kind-hearted guy who in an emotional outburst killed his uncle. A fourth character that we never see is contained in a box that looks like a model house. Adolph is a deadly poisonous snake – a sort of pet of the three guys who are prisoners on Devil's Island. From his description (very short, multi-colored), Adolph is probably some sort of coral snake. Three convicts have escaped from Devil's Island at the start of the story, but we don't know for sure if these are the three. That's because in the port town of Cayenne, capital of French Guiana, convicts from the island several miles offshore, are often put to work in various jobs. So, they can move about, cautiously, as convicts. But they talk about escaping and have their eyes set on doing so on a small ship anchored nearby. (The 1973 movie, "Papillon" is set in the same place.) But first they need to get passports, papers, clothing and some money. They set about to accumulate all three when they stop in the general store operated by Felix Ducotel. Leo G. Carroll is the next diverse actor cast, as Felix. His wife and daughter are two more. Joan Bennett plays his wife, Amelie, and Gloria Talbott plays his daughter, Isabelle. The final diverse casting is Basil Rathbone as Andre Trochard. A small number of other supporting players fill out the cast. This is one very funny, and redeeming story about three convicts who would like to see justice done for a family that befriended them – the Ducotels. Others describe the plot, so I'll end with a few funny lines from the film script. For more hilarious dialog, see the Quotes section here on the IMDb Web page of "We're No Angels."Albert, "They shouldn't let crooks like that on Devil's Island." Jules, "No, it'll give the place a bad name."Andre, "You men are murderers." Joseph, "Not me. I'm a maniac."Joseph, "Jules, you rush in and tell him before it's too late. Tell him there's a snake in that box." Jules, "He won't believe me. He doesn't like me." Joseph, "Albert, maybe you ought to run in and warn him." Albert, "Why don't we cut cards for it?" Joseph, "Good idea. I'll get the cards." (Long pause as he slowly saunters over to get a deck of cards and returns). Joseph, "Who cuts first?" This goes on for a time. The dialog is all the more funny watching the film. Joseph, "It's true. He died in his sleep." Felix, "That was very considerate of him." Amelie, "I don't know what to do." Felix, "The first thing to do is make sure that he's dead. I don't trust him."Felix, "He had a number of good points, I'm sure. I just can't think of any."Jules, "It's predestiny." Albert, "No, it's the fellow from the boat."The ending has a nice artistic touch. This is a wonderfully funny film. Anyone who hasn't seen Bogart in comedy will be surprised. With the right plot and script, a great actor can play any role. Bogie and the entire cast provide many laughs in this film. It's a treasure to keep in one's film library and pop in to play when skies are gray – or any time.

nomoons11 I'm a huge Bogey fan but I gotta say this isn't even close to the quality of his other work.I think my main quibble with this film is the casting. Specifically...Aldo Ray. He's just terrible in this. Ustinov is OK but if they would have givin him more lines and eliminated the Ray character it could have worked for me. Aldo Ray has mainly played the same character in about everything he did and after watching "Pat and Mike", I had enough of that. When I popped this one in and saw him I thought..."Uh Oh". I honestly think his career was due to 2 things...his good looks and the fact he was in WW2 as a navy frogman. Maybe some producer thought was an interesting take but I think actual acting ability needs to be considered...and I don't think he had much.The premise is OK but it's just not that special of a film. You won't ever remember this over say...African Queen or High Sierra. I think if they would have just concentrated on the family who own the shop it would have been better but what we get is a Bogey vehicle to bring in the movie goers.In the end it just didn't work for me. I wasn't remotely impressed with this one.

Larry41OnEbay-2 Here are my notes from introducing the film... WE'RE NO ANGELS premiered September 23, 1955 and was produced and distributed by Paramount in Technicolor & VistaVision!This version does not star Robert DeNiro or Sean Penn, that was a sort of remake made in 1989.It was based on the French play by Albert Husson, "Kitchen Of The Angels" and with a screenplay written by Ranald MacDougall. The working title of this film was Angels Cooking.On Broadway in 1953 a droll, tender romp called "My Three Angels." Based on the same French play, was adapted by Bella and Sam Spewack about some nice Devils Island inhabitants and a trio of convicts. When this film came out, the Spewack's sued and the result of that lawsuit was never disclosed.Two key talents of the studio system actor Humphrey Bogart and director Michael Curtiz collaborated four times. Their first was ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES in 1938, a picture that cemented Bogey's gangster reputation. CASABLANCA followed in 1942, capturing the Best Picture & Best Director Oscar for Curtiz and securing film immortality for Bogart. Their third collaboration was PASSAGE TO MARSEILLE a 1944 World War Two action film. So it only makes sense that their final film together would be . . . what else but a light weight Christmas comedy?Bogart plays Joseph a master forger and ringleader of the convicts. He is joined by Peter Ustinov as the multitalented Jules trying to avoid a life sentence as a wife-murdering safecracker. And Aldo Ray rounds out the group as Albert, likewise pulling a life stretch for knocking his uncle over the head—fatally. Albert is inseparable from his pet, a poisonous viper named Adolph that he carries with him everywhere in a little basket. Ustinov had just completed THE Egyptian, also directed by Curtiz.And, both men were looking forward to working together again. On the set, Ustinov and Bogart would become good friends as well, although Humphrey was prone to practical jokes like putting raw liver in Ustinov's shoes, something Peter did not find funny.The main fascination comes from seeing tough-guy Bogart in one of his very few comedies. His character practically drips with sarcasm. Ustinov excels at effete snobbery and gets off some of the best lines, while the gravel-voiced Ray is by turns menacing and charming and sometimes both at once.Leo G. Carroll who plays the shop keeper, a benign and lovable fuddy-duddy will be recognizable from NORTH BY NORTHWEST & The Man From UNCLE. Basil Rathbone plays the sinister store owner with glee, a delightful parody of the villain roles he often played. And Joan Bennett is particularly memorable as the kindly shopkeeper's wife. Bennett, best known for Fritz Lang's film noir classics and as Spencer Tracy's wife in FATHER OF THE BRIDE, had been away from the screen for almost three years after being embroiled in a scandal that effectively blackballed her from Hollywood. In 1951 her husband, producer Walter Wanger shot her lover and agent Jennings Lang in a jealous rage. When the smoke (literally) cleared, Bennett was painted as the antagonist in the lover's triangle and quickly shunned by film society. 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. Bogart, Ustinov and Ray escapees from prison need a place to hide out. They need of clothing and money… the trio makes plans to rob milliner Leo G. Carroll and his family. "We'll cut their throats for a Christmas present", Bogie, remarks. "That might spoil one's belief in Santa Claus" replies philosophical wife-murderer Ustinov.We're No Angels is a curious little comedy, flirting with the macabre, then pulling back to play nice. It's not dark enough to qualify as black comedy, nor is it total fluff either. But it's a seriously good-looking film with an exceptional cast of tough guys enjoying a rare cinematic romp.From all reports, the set of We're No Angels was a happy one, a fact reflected in the warm, engaging performances of its stars. There's not a cute kid or snowflake in sight, but We're No Angels, like It's A Wonderful Life, still manages to capture the essential humanistic message of the best Christmas themed films, with a delightful underlying irreverence and sense of fun.The charmingly hammy performances capture this feeling well and make me wish that all of us no matter how sorded our past could, at Christmas time, at least act like angles.