Product Details

• Actors: Spencer Tracy, Frank Sinatra, Kerwin Mathews, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Grégoire Aslan
• Directors: Mervyn LeRoy
• Writers: Liam O'Brien, Max Catto
• Producers: Mervyn LeRoy, Fred Kohlmar
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English, French
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: June 2, 1998
• Run Time: 126 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303257224
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,419 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Starring The Volcano - Tracy, Sinatra supporting cast, January 13, 2000

By 

Jane G. Beckman (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Devil at 4 O'Clock [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie was one of the orginal "disaster films," originating the genre. Actually, only part of the film was shot on Maui (mostly around Lahaina and the Maui Needle). The rest was done with some amazing soundstages. The volcano (built in the middle of a pond in Fallbrook, California) provided stock footage for many films that came after, and you'll be amazed how realistic the earthquake shots look. All this with low-tech special effects!

If you are bored or unaffected by the actual movie, you're way too jaded to be watching this human drama of an alcoholic priest whose life and vocation have lost their meaning. Go watch a blockbuster disaster flick and root for the special effects. Yeah, it's a little hokily sentimental at times, but I've shown this one to friends who marvelled at what a great story of human experience it told, got a lump in their throats at the end, etc. Then they recommended it to their friends. (Admittedly, Sinatra is NOT at his best. However, Spencer Tracy and the rest of the cast carry the movie.)

(Yes, my father was the art director, which is how I know so much about the special effects and technical aspects, but it's still one of my all-time favorite films, even discounting that.)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ERUPTING DRAMA, June 22, 2004

By 

Michael Butts (Berkeley Springs, WV USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Devil at 4 O'clock (DVD)

I first saw this movie when I was ten years old, and of all the things that have stuck with me, the beautiful theme song by George Duning has haunted me since. The story of a disillusioned priest played by Spencer Tracy is an old one, but it is acted with such fervor, it remains powerful in its concept of God, faith and hope. Tracy is as always impeccable, but Frank Sinatra seems a little disinterested in his role. Kerwin Mathews previously known for his roles in the Ray Harryhausen movies (7th Voyage of Sinbad, 3 Worlds of Gulliver) brings his solemn and gentlemanly nature to the role of Father Perreau, the young priest who is scheduled to replace Tracy. Bernie Hamilton and Gregoire Aslan turn in delightful performances as the other two prisoners; Alexander Scourby makes a good island governor; Barbara Luna is beautiful as the blind Charisse; Cathy Lewis is memorable as Marguerite; Martin Brandt makes an impression as the atheist doctor who still admires Tracy; and Jean Pierre Aumont is good as the pilot.
Though slow in spots, the volcanic eruption explodes onto the screen and the escape scene is heartwarming and suspenseful.
A very good movie!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Lady I Missed The Boat A Long Time Ago" ~ Faith, Disbelief And The Good Thief, September 16, 2007

By 

Brian E. Erland "Rainbow Sphinx" (Brea, CA - USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Devil at 4 O'clock (DVD)

Synopsis: A small plane headed for Tahiti carrying three convicts makes a layover on a small, volcanic South Pacific Island named Kalaua. The local Catholic priest Father Doonan (Spencer Tracy) convinces the local authorities to allow him to borrow the incarcerated trio to help with repairs at a secluded hospital for lepers during their stay. When the volcano begins to awaken the island residents are forced to evacuate Father Doonan and the convicts are the only ones brave enough to attempt a rescue of the lepers and hospital staff. Will they be able to escape the dangerous eruptions and lava and get to the docks before the schooner leaves at four o'clock? Only God knows.

Critique: The '61 film `Devil At 4 O'Clock' is one of the lesser classics of the early `60's. Spencer Tracy delivers one of his usual strong performances as the ill-tempered, disillusioned Catholic priest and Frank Sinatra rises to the occasion with one of his best on-screen performances as the hard-nosed convict Harry.

This is a surprisingly good film; the cast is superior, the dialogue intelligent and believable, the scenery breathtaking, the soundtrack memorable and the volcano magnificent. If that's not enough the film also co-stars the beautiful Barbara Luna in the role of Camille, unquestionably one of the most beautiful Hispanic actresses to ever grace the silver screen.

Footnote: Here's a little something that might be of interest to all you trivia collectors out there. Take note of the first couple of minutes of the film when the plane comes in for a landing. Did you catch the island boy running into Father Duggin's office shouting "the plane, the plane!" Now you know where little Tattoo from the popular late 70's television series `Fantasy Island' got that phrase.