Based on a novel by Joseph Conrad, directed by the great British director Carol Reed, and featuring a cast of considerable distinction (Ralph Richardson, Trevor Howard, Robert Morley and Wendy Hiller), one comes to Outcast Of The Islands with high hopes indeed. Unfortunately, the film doesn't really deliver on its promise – it's an interesting, well-acted and perfectly watchable film, but by no means a masterpiece. More of a curiosity than anything, in all fairness.
Caddish Peter Willems (Trevor Howard) was rescued from a life of poverty and obscurity as a boy by noble seafarer Captain Lingard (Ralph Richardson). Since then, their lives have taken different paths – Lingard has remained a staunch and reliable sea captain, travelling the seas and making his fortune through peaceful trade, while Willems has become a manipulative, opportunistic bully despised by all. When his business interests go belly-up, Willems is forced to flee from Singapore. The only person willing to help him is his old friend Lingard who, against all reason and wisdom, still sees some good in the young protégé. He smuggles Willems to a remote coastal community and suggests that he spend some time there, laying low until the storm surrounding his business controversies has blown over. He leaves Willems under the watchful eye of his daughter (Wendy Hiller) and jealous son-in-law Elmer (Robert Morley). Alas, Willems' self-destructive nature quickly leads him into trouble. He offends his hosts, falls in love with a dangerous wild-woman (Kerima), plays tribes-people off against each other, and gives away precious information about the secret sea route to the community. Ultimately, his cruel nature catches up him with and he must pay a terrible price for his mistakes.
Howard is excellent, cast against type as a monstrous man with few redeeming qualities; Richardson holds his own too as the foolishly loyal father-figure trying to give him one last chance in life that he probably doesn't deserve. The Far Eastern location shooting gives the film an authentic feel, though the film doesn't quite manage to get a clear hold on what it really wants to be. A Malayan adventure? A sun- soaked tragedy? A dark comedy? A morality play? It veers amongst all of these without ever quite cutting it as one or the other. Flashes of individual power remain (Richardson bellowing "you are my shame!" – as he finally realises how much his faith in Howard has been misplaced and abused – being one of the most memorable moments), but the film as a whole is neither here nor there. It's just a very strange film – a peculiar choice for big screen treatment, sometimes fascinating but just as often flat, and ultimately a rather bitter and negative film. Worth a look in spite of all this.
Caddish Peter Willems (Trevor Howard) was rescued from a life of poverty and obscurity as a boy by noble seafarer Captain Lingard (Ralph Richardson). Since then, their lives have taken different paths – Lingard has remained a staunch and reliable sea captain, travelling the seas and making his fortune through peaceful trade, while Willems has become a manipulative, opportunistic bully despised by all. When his business interests go belly-up, Willems is forced to flee from Singapore. The only person willing to help him is his old friend Lingard who, against all reason and wisdom, still sees some good in the young protégé. He smuggles Willems to a remote coastal community and suggests that he spend some time there, laying low until the storm surrounding his business controversies has blown over. He leaves Willems under the watchful eye of his daughter (Wendy Hiller) and jealous son-in-law Elmer (Robert Morley). Alas, Willems' self-destructive nature quickly leads him into trouble. He offends his hosts, falls in love with a dangerous wild-woman (Kerima), plays tribes-people off against each other, and gives away precious information about the secret sea route to the community. Ultimately, his cruel nature catches up him with and he must pay a terrible price for his mistakes.
Howard is excellent, cast against type as a monstrous man with few redeeming qualities; Richardson holds his own too as the foolishly loyal father-figure trying to give him one last chance in life that he probably doesn't deserve. The Far Eastern location shooting gives the film an authentic feel, though the film doesn't quite manage to get a clear hold on what it really wants to be. A Malayan adventure? A sun- soaked tragedy? A dark comedy? A morality play? It veers amongst all of these without ever quite cutting it as one or the other. Flashes of individual power remain (Richardson bellowing "you are my shame!" – as he finally realises how much his faith in Howard has been misplaced and abused – being one of the most memorable moments), but the film as a whole is neither here nor there. It's just a very strange film – a peculiar choice for big screen treatment, sometimes fascinating but just as often flat, and ultimately a rather bitter and negative film. Worth a look in spite of all this.