Customer Reviews

The Devil at 4 O'clock

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.)

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!

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.

This movie seems to have been forgotten.You never see it on TV.So when i saw it listed on DVD,it was time to add it to my collection.The DVD is a good transfer,with lush colours and a crisp,clear picture.Spencer Tracy is at his usual best(and unusual to see him without Katherine!!)With Frank Sinatra doing a fine job co-staring.My only gripe with this DVD is the price as an import to Canada.Still a fun movie,with cool special effects considering how long ago this was filmed.It might be one of the first "so-called"disaster flicks.Cheers!!

Surely the greatest actor ever Spencer Tracy outdoes himself in this most interesting and entertaining movie. I bought a VHS copy in the 1980's and recently bought the outstanding DVD version. I will never tire of this wonderful classic. It is one of Tracy's best roles in my opinion. The movie is unique in its story line and powerful in its message. When you view the end of this film you can judge for yourself whether or not he in real life was a deeply religious man. Whether it's Father Doonon (Devil at 4 O'Clock), Father Mullin (San Francisco) or Father Flanagan (Boy's Town) Spencer Tracy is unequaled in Hollywood history.

This is a story of faith, forgiveness, humbling oneself, and atonement of sins made right. I have had this movie in my library many years. When it became available on DVD I had to have it. I love to watch Frank Sinatra and Spencer Tracy work together. The musical score is haunting - but then that is what makes a movie - as far as I am concerned! The Devil may have come at 4 O'Clock - but he was too late, they were already saved!

This is singular movie; beneath the epidermical script, there is powerful message. A priest, in charge of an orphanage will have to shake hands with a group of convicts when the island home be endangered by a volcanic eruption.

When the nature shows us its hidden face, you must leave behind certain conventionalisms, ethical patterns and ideologies, because at those moments the surviving instinct must prevail; the value of human life is above any sort of moral considerations.

Disaster films can be great fun--they can also live up to their title... Disaster films also have a tendency to be very formulated and very clichéd... To see a disaster film with actual originality, or at least a decent plot twist, would definitely be a welcome surprise...

'The Devil at 4 O'Clock' takes place before the actual eruption... There is enough tension in the air to keep the audience interested... The film opens with a small plane bound for Tahiti, stopping for the night at the small French island of Kalua, where the Governor is notifying the authorities of a disturbance at the mouth of the island volcano...

The passengers are three chained convicts--Harry, Mareel, and Charlie-- and Father Perreau (Kerwin Mathews), who has come to replace Father Doonan... The Governor releases the three convicts into Father Doonan's charge, and they are sent to repair the chapel at a children's leper hospital...

When Father Doonan prepares to leave Kalua, the volcano erupts and an earthquake rocks the island... So he enlists the convicts' aid, promising to speak up for commuting their sentences if they will help him evacuate the hospital and rescue the children...

Spencer Tracy is very well suited to the movie and gives the boost it needs to be a successful action film... He does a great job in the leading man role as the strong, determined priest trapped with the outgoing tide that following afternoon...

Frank Sinatra backs up the legendary actor as the brave Harry who brings the children safely to the waiting schooner, bids his new bride farewell, and returns to meet the devil at 4 o'clock...

Barbara Luna--the lovely blind girl dangerously in love--gives a nice aspect of romance to the film but there is a severe lack of chemistry between her and Sinatra... Their relationship seems extremely rushed...

'The Devil at 4 O'Clock,' vaguely resembling 'The Inn of the Sixth Happiness,' is a film that builds momentum slowly before unleashing its fury...

Charlie (Frank Sinatra) is a bitter convict headed for hard time in a Tahitian prison. During a stop-over on a neighboring island, he meets Father Doonan (Spencer Tracy), an alcoholic, world-weary priest. Doonan enlists Harry's aid when the island's volcano threatens to destroy an isolated children's hospital. They must get the patients and staff down the mountain and onto a rescue boat by 4 o'clock...but will the volcano hold out that long?

I was hoping to love this movie, after all, it's got a volcano and Frank Sinatra! On the plus side, Sinatra and Tracy are both charismatic and convincing in sympathetic roles, but there are too many characters who take valuable time away from the them. The special efforts were good for 1961, but today seem awfully clumsy. The movie is partially filmed in lovely Maui, but has many 'outdoor' scenes obviously shot on a sound stage, which is annoying. And finally, the script is loaded with corny clichés.

Still, it's an okay movie and Sinatra fans should enjoy it.

I saw this movie once back in the 60's and thought I would look it up on Amazon. It is pretty good for a 60's movie.