Customer Reviews

We're No Angels [VHS]

5 star:		(104)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Every year around the holidays, I sit down with a cup of coffee, wrap an afghan around myself and fall under the spell of this film yet again. It's the story of three convicts trying to escape Devil's Island at Christmas. And in spite of their best (or worst)intentions to do in a struggling shopkeeper and his family and steal all their money, they end up celebrating the holidays as part of the family.

The casting is unexpected but quite wonderful, with tough guys Humphrey Bogart and Aldo Ray showing their comic sides. Peter Ustinov rounds out the trio of crooks and murderers nicely, with his dry, self-effacing delivery. Leo G. Carroll, Joan Bennett and Basil Rathbone all turn in wonderful performances on the law-abiding side of things.

We're No Angels is a film that never drifts into sappiness or sentimentality. There's always a little edge to the comedy, a little darkness underlying the light, and that makes for delicious viewing. It's a very human and humane comedy for people who don't want their holiday spoiled by too much sugar. One caveat: Do NOT mistake the remake for this film. They're not the same by any stretch.

Anytime I visit my local Video store around the Christmas Season,I have to remind the Manager,that besides " Miracle on 34 th. Street " and the usual array of "feel good" movies for the holidays,this one is never on the shelf with the others..but it should be ! The combination of Bogart,Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray is perfect.Every cliche,like " poisonous snakes always get the bad guy,the good guy can pick it up with his bare hands "...has been met head on,and they work well.All the characters are endearing and the end is wonderful,I see it every Christmas along with " The Bishophs Wife ".Who would not want to sit and have 90 minutes with Bogie & Co. ? Not me !!!!

"We're No Angels", has been a personal Christams classic of mine since I was 6 years old.
Where I lived, the local TV station programmer had enough insight to make this a yearly supplement, along with the traditional classics such as 'It's a Wonderful Life' and 'Rudolf'the Red-Nosed Reindeer'.

There's no denying the appeal of this movie, Christmas or otherwise, and there's enough positive praise of the film on this site to merit a DVD release, so PLEASE grant us this Christmas wish!

This is my favorite Christmas movie of all time. When we were kids my sister and I would watch this every Christmas Eve. I really like this movie better than "It's a Wonderful Life." We're No Angels has a bit of an edge, and it emphasizes an important message. Everyone, no matter what they have done, or how they are viewed by society, is capable of goodness. This is a really great movie, and I miss seeing it every year.

Just a Note: There was a movie released in 1989 with Sean Penn and Robert DeNero that shares the title, but not the plot. In that movie two escaped convicts end up in a convent. I like it, too, but I think the 1955 We're No Angels about the three convicts who escape from Devil's Island and help the family who owns the General Store is better by far.

Movie critics are not impressed with this movie. We have to disagree with the so-called experts; this is a hilarious comedy. Looking beyond the sentimental trappings, the strength of the film is the droll exchanges of the three convicts: Joseph (Humphrey Bogart), Jules (Peter Ustinov), and Albert (Aldo Ray). With their pet viper, Adolph, the trio saves the Ducotel family from financial ruin by using their criminal skills to foil the real villains. Their interactions with the loving Ducotel family begin to soften their jaded view of humanity. As things get emotional on Christmas Eve, observe the comic arrival, mock trial, and execution of evil Cousin Andre Trochard. After Cousin Andre expires, the boys have trouble getting the body discovered by a "legitimate" person, another hilarious segment. Veteran director Michael Curtiz deftly displays a fine flair for timing and stinging humor. Bogie is good at deadpan delivery. As a slick con man, note his ability to sell the bald-headed customer hairbrushes. Peter Ustinov is funny as a polite sex-fiend and murderer. He drools longingly over a hefty lady customer of the Ducotel store and recalls occasions by date of when he was happy. Aldo Ray, another lady-killer, gives the innocent daughter, Isabelle (Gloria Talbott), amusing advice on seduction. Basil Rathbone plays, well, a Basil Rathbone type as coldhearted Cousin Andre in a ridiculous tasseled nightcap. Leo G. Carroll is lovable and befuddled as Felix. Joan Bennett rounds out the cast as his attractive younger wife, Amelie. The movie, based on a play, looks a little stiff and stagy in places. Beyond this minor quibble, it's great fun. ;-)

No special effects. No blood, guts and gore. No embarrassing sex scenes. No inane dialog. Just a great script, unique storyline and a wonderful cast. Ustinov doesn't need to say a word but when he does, he's priceless!

Apparently this is one of the few comedies that Bogart made, which is too bad as I think he did a great job in it. This is the only movie I've seen Aldo Ray in, I did see "Green Berets" but I do not remember him in it and am not expecting to watch that one again any time soon. My favorite character is Peter Ustinov's. The dialogue for the whole film is none but complete joy to watch. This movie is such an understated comedy yet so extremely funny, it is important that you pay attention or you'll miss it. It certainly deserves the rank of a classic as it's as good watching it the tenth time as it is the first.

I saw this movie some years ago, by chance, on AMC and was amazed and frustrated that I had never seen it before. I have rented it on VHS as often as I could and have been waiting for it to come out on DVD so that I could buy it.

I just got this movie and it is wonderful. I have not seen this film in almost 5 years but I remember every moment as I watched. The DVD just has the widescreen version of the picture but this is one of those pictures that needs no assistance with showing its greatness. If you love dark humor mixed with clever lines delivered by classic actors then you cannot go wrong with this picture.

Without a doubt, one of the best Christmas movies ever (and watchable any time of year). Humphrey Bogart shows his rarely seen comedic talents, Aldo Ray is a loveable letch, and Peter Ustinov steals much of the show with his dry wisecracks. And Adolph the snake, though never seen, is a hero.

I grew up watching for this movie every year during the holidays, have been struggling by with a commercial-filled VHS tape for years, and I'm overjoyed that the DVD has finally been released. Much like the great late-career Cary Grant comedies ("Operation Petticoat", "Father Goose", and to some degree "Walk, Don't Run"), "We're No Angels" is full of wit and warmth. You want to watch it over and over to catch all the funny lines and subtle physical comedy, and then you want to watch it more just for the sheer joy. A must-have for ever library.

this is as great as ANY Bogart film, and a definite must-see and must-own. Ustinov (not Zero Mostel, as someone below noted), Ray, Rathbone and Carroll are all at the top of their game, and the result is a wonderful film, sadly neglected by many. Thank God the studios ignored their greedy instincts and released this, FINALLY, on DVD. It's a movie that will not only please many Bogart fans, but make quite a few new ones as well. Buy this right now, before it disappears!