Islands In The Stream
Based On The Novel By Ernest Hemingway
War. Freedom. Loyalty. Love. Manhood. Ernest Hemingway's most powerful themes are gloriously captured in Islands in the Stream.
George C. Scott and director Franklin J. Schaffner, who teamed so memorably in Patton, reunite in this compelling version of "Papa" Hemingway's posthumous novel. Scott plays Thomas Hudson, a sculptor whose self-imposed isolation in the Bahamas is ended by two forces: the visit of his sons...and the outbreak of World War II.
The film is touching in its details of a father's love - and heroic in its defiance of tyranny. The rich sweep of literary legend washes over Islands In The Stream.
Member Reviews
Islands In The Stream - Trev1
A thin story-line, really little more than three short stories tied together, provides little of interest. As the blurb suggests Hemingway tackles all the big themes of his day, but in a predictably chauvinistic way. Which suits George C. Scott whose casting is perfect. More inspired perhaps was the casting of David Hemmings, an under-appreciated British actor who once upon a time was a serious rival to Michael Caine and Albert Finney in the estimation of British critics. In this film he plays Scott's happy-go-lucky alcoholic side kick and he does it was precision and pathos. Where Scott is brooding and moody Hemmings is delightfully irreverent; bumbling from one bar fight to another without a care in the world. The scene where Scott confronts Hemmings over his alcholism is worth the price of admission.
The usually cool and austere Claire Bloom is given very little to work with and the earliest scenes with Scott's three boys are poorly done and forgettable.
Four stars for the two leads.Islands In The Stream - Movie_Fan
Based on a posthumous novel by Ernest Hemingway, Islands In The Stream is probably one of the best adaptations of his work on the screen.
Scott who as Thomas Hudson bears more than a passing resemblance to the real Hemingway delivers an exceptional performance. David Hemmings provides solid support as the rummy, Eddy.
The story is episodic in structure with the last section emphasizing action sequences as Hudson becomes involved in helping refugees. This section is reminiscent of Hemingway's novel "To Have And Have Not". It has been suggested that when "Islands" was worked for publication after Hemingway's death an earlier draft of that novel was used in the editing.
This film boasts a fine transfer (Hawaii standing in for the Caribbean)but alas no extras.
Highly recommended.
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Islands In The Stream - Trev1
A thin story-line, really little more than three short stories tied together, provides little of interest. As the blurb suggests Hemingway tackles all the big themes of his day, but in a predictably chauvinistic way. Which suits George C. Scott whose casting ...Islands In The Stream - Movie_Fan
Based on a posthumous novel by Ernest Hemingway, Islands In The Stream is probably one of the best adaptations of his work on the screen.
Scott who as Thomas Hudson bears more than a passing resemblance to the real Hemingway delivers an exceptional ...