Best movie of this year hands down!

One of my all time favorites.

Absolutely Fantastic

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

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.

I found and decided to watch that film as I looked for a Christmas movie to see during the holidays. I've seen almost every holiday classic so I went for this rather unconventional Christmas film. 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. Eventually, they help the family deceive their sinister cousin, brilliantly portrayed by Basil Rathbone, who along with his son try to exploit the situation and take over their enterprise. 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. Of course, the later film is a tough noir with Bogie portraying a lunatic criminal, while here he and his fellow escapees seem rather sympathetic.Only one thing is a complete fail in this film, and it's the final minute. Having solved all the problems, our friends are ready to escape to France via ship, but they decide to return to the jail as they "like it more there". It's clear as sky that this ending was influenced by the Hays Code, which was in force at the time and demanded punishment for every criminal action, including escape. However, telling us that they preferred the Devil's island to freedom in France is, in my opinion, a serious offense to all these people, guilty or not, who lived their Hell on Earth in one of the most infamous prisons of all time.Ignoring this little blemish, the film is a funny comedy and a great choice for the holiday season. A great cast, witty dialogue and some hilarious scenes ensure it.

A rare Humphrey Bogart comedy, and it works perfectly! Seeing Bogart in the lead role, and the movie being about a jailbreak, I was expecting an adventure-drama. 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. Bogart delivers his lines well and cannot be faulted, but Ustinov has a perfect sense of comedic timing. Plus his Englishness makes him seem so much funnier.Aldo Ray is a bit hit-and-miss as the third non-angel. 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.

The setting for this movie is 1895, Devil's Island. The story unfolds around Christmas time and what a delightful tale it is to be seen. Michael Curtiz directs a cast that makes you feel like the characters in the story are family. I know a bit offbeat and with a bit of dark humor at times. The movie shines with real heartfelt emotion. It truly is one of my favorite movies, not just at Christmas time but anytime. 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. Basil Rathbone is perfect in his character. If you see the movie you will know what I mean. The song "Sentimental Moments" is such a sweet little song. I wish it this were in circulation on TCM or other channels.It is a Christmas classic in our house, maybe it will be yours too!