It's Hollywood's version of The Three Wise Men in this droll, slightly morbid comedy. Of course, the three escapees from Devil's Island prison don't start out as do-gooders. But once they encounter the struggling Ducotel family, their heartstrings are tugged. The chuckles come from how the three use their criminal skills to help the family's failing business, which is also about to be foreclosed by a hard-hearted cousin Andre (Rathbone) and his grasping son Paul (Baer).Now when thinking laughs, Bogart, Ray, and Ustinov don't come to mind. Wisely, each underplays his comedic role letting the unlikely situation they're in dominate; that way, none risk a broader type comedy that might burlesque their established personas. So Bogart's Joseph uses his shady leadership skills to benefit the family. Thus Bogart is still Bogart despite the droll format. At the same time, Ustinov's Jules cracks open about every lock in town, while Ray angles toward the fetching family daughter Isabelle (Talbot). All in all, It's a clever format for the three.Anyway, Talbott's charming, getting to wear about every colorful outfit in Paramount's wardrobe department. Carroll, on the other hand, looks unwell and too old to believably husband the lovely, much younger Bennett. On the other hand, I especially like the scenes where a fast-talking Bogart uses salesmanship on a reluctant over-weight woman (Penman), and an ill-fitting jacket on a paunchy man. As I recall, the movie got a lot of ballyhoo at the time, probably because of Bogart and this slight change of pace.Anyway, the 106-minutes may be a little overstretched for the material. But the results amount to an entertaining X-mas parable that was unfortunately Bogie's last film. But all in all, it's a pretty good one to go out on. One other thing, if someone offers you a little metal box with holes in it, don't take it. I repeat, don't take it.

This film has the most incongruous, far-fetched collection of actors of any film I can recall. And, why not? With such a wacky script and unusual plot, it calls for such diversity. "We're No Angels" is one of the most unusual – and original, comedies ever made. The entire cast shine in this hilarious film. It takes a short time to get up to speed, but that helps we viewers understand a little better what it's all about. It help us make sense out of what follows. Three convicts look down from roof windows on a family as its characters are introduced and they talk about their travails. And yet, the three pop in and out of the story, by simple trips down the ladder and then back up again. They are supposed to be repairing the roof. It's a novel convention and creative derivation from the old Hollywood techniques of heavenly creatures looking down on things below, or the more standard narrator telling a story. In this method though, the characters in the technique are part of the story at the outset and all along. By the time they come down off the roof for good, the comedy moves into high gear and it never lets up. I wonder how Paramount managed to cast the three male leads together. Humphrey Bogart is Joseph, a white-collar con man and head of the group. Peter Ustinov is Jules, the deft lock and safe opener. And, Aldo Ray is Albert, the slow-witted but kind-hearted guy who in an emotional outburst killed his uncle. A fourth character that we never see is contained in a box that looks like a model house. Adolph is a deadly poisonous snake – a sort of pet of the three guys who are prisoners on Devil's Island. From his description (very short, multi-colored), Adolph is probably some sort of coral snake. Three convicts have escaped from Devil's Island at the start of the story, but we don't know for sure if these are the three. That's because in the port town of Cayenne, capital of French Guiana, convicts from the island several miles offshore, are often put to work in various jobs. So, they can move about, cautiously, as convicts. But they talk about escaping and have their eyes set on doing so on a small ship anchored nearby. (The 1973 movie, "Papillon" is set in the same place.) But first they need to get passports, papers, clothing and some money. They set about to accumulate all three when they stop in the general store operated by Felix Ducotel. Leo G. Carroll is the next diverse actor cast, as Felix. His wife and daughter are two more. Joan Bennett plays his wife, Amelie, and Gloria Talbott plays his daughter, Isabelle. The final diverse casting is Basil Rathbone as Andre Trochard. A small number of other supporting players fill out the cast. This is one very funny, and redeeming story about three convicts who would like to see justice done for a family that befriended them – the Ducotels. Others describe the plot, so I'll end with a few funny lines from the film script. For more hilarious dialog, see the Quotes section here on the IMDb Web page of "We're No Angels."Albert, "They shouldn't let crooks like that on Devil's Island." Jules, "No, it'll give the place a bad name."Andre, "You men are murderers." Joseph, "Not me. I'm a maniac."Joseph, "Jules, you rush in and tell him before it's too late. Tell him there's a snake in that box." Jules, "He won't believe me. He doesn't like me." Joseph, "Albert, maybe you ought to run in and warn him." Albert, "Why don't we cut cards for it?" Joseph, "Good idea. I'll get the cards." (Long pause as he slowly saunters over to get a deck of cards and returns). Joseph, "Who cuts first?" This goes on for a time. The dialog is all the more funny watching the film. Joseph, "It's true. He died in his sleep." Felix, "That was very considerate of him." Amelie, "I don't know what to do." Felix, "The first thing to do is make sure that he's dead. I don't trust him."Felix, "He had a number of good points, I'm sure. I just can't think of any."Jules, "It's predestiny." Albert, "No, it's the fellow from the boat."The ending has a nice artistic touch. This is a wonderfully funny film. Anyone who hasn't seen Bogart in comedy will be surprised. With the right plot and script, a great actor can play any role. Bogie and the entire cast provide many laughs in this film. It's a treasure to keep in one's film library and pop in to play when skies are gray – or any time.

The setting for this movie is 1895, Devil's Island. The story unfolds around Christmas time and what a delightful tale it is to be seen. Michael Curtiz directs a cast that makes you feel like the characters in the story are family. I know a bit offbeat and with a bit of dark humor at times. The movie shines with real heartfelt emotion. It truly is one of my favorite movies, not just at Christmas time but anytime. If you are a Bogart or Ustinov fan you deserve to treat yourself to this little gem.Aldo Ray is simply wonderful as the muscular backup to our three angels. Basil Rathbone is perfect in his character. If you see the movie you will know what I mean. The song "Sentimental Moments" is such a sweet little song. I wish it this were in circulation on TCM or other channels.It is a Christmas classic in our house, maybe it will be yours too!

I saw this on Sky listings. Old, vague, but still strong memories of a 'good' film made me watch it this late evening.What a charming film. Clearly from a stage play , but the film direction was excellent, keeping the pace and the interest in 'What happens next' high.I would say Bogart was a scene stealer, but unfortunately everyone else was too! You have to admire the courage of Peter Ustinov then; he was a young unknown, but did his idiosyncratic twitchy thing confidently in front of the Great Bogart. But that was how great new talent came through. They wouldn't let a Ustinov near a Bogart today. Too risky. Best to stick to the bland.There lies the modern day problem.For Bogart (at the time this film was made) to say something like " We'll bash their skulls, gouge their eyes, then slit their throats, but first we'll do the dishes" said a lot about the man. He was willing to put his lucrative tough guy reputation on the line to deliver this script. How was he to know it was going to turn out well?'The Inbetweeners' is flavour of the moment at the cinema. Ask any of its fans to watch ' We're no Angels' and they might look strangely at you. But leave them on their own with the DVD and five minutes in I bet most of them would be hooked (they just would never admit it, not cool you see). Well, I think this is a really cool film. I will watch it again happily.