Convicts escaping from Devil's Island come under the influence of a strange Christ-like figure (Ian Hunter).Convicts escaping from Devil's Island come under the influence of a strange Christ-like figure (Ian Hunter).Convicts escaping from Devil's Island come under the influence of a strange Christ-like figure (Ian Hunter).
Frederick Worlock
- Grideau
- (as Frederic Worlock)
Jack Adair
- Guard
- (uncredited)
Richard Alexander
- Guard
- (uncredited)
Stanley Andrews
- Constable
- (uncredited)
Betty Compson
- Suzanne
- (uncredited)
Gene Coogan
- Convict
- (uncredited)
Harry Cording
- Guard
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaReceived a "Condemned" rating from the Catholic Legion of Decency for "irreverent use of Scripture" and "lustful complications." Even after the studio made the changes demanded, distribution was sharply cut by cities refusing to book it. Contemporary articles in The Hollywood Reporter noted the film was banned in Detroit. Other sources state it also was banned in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island.
- GoofsAt one point, Verne (Clark Gable) escapes by jumping out a window into the water. A short while later, on land, he pulls a out a Bible from inside his shirt to check a map printed inside. As he flips through the pages, there is no sign whatsoever that the book got wet. The unprotected Bible should have shown signs of water immersion (damp edges, soggy paper, etc.), but it appears to be perfectly dry.
- Quotes
André Verne: So you outsmarted me, huh?
Julie: That's what happens, they tell me, when smart people get together. One of them winds up ahead.
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA Srl: "VOLTO DI DONNA (1941) + DONNE (1939) + STRANGE CARGO (1940)" (3 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Hero at Large (1980)
Featured review
A Strange and Beautiful Movie
A beautiful movie with a mostly A-list cast, far superior to the source novel. "Strange Cargo" has almost non-stop action, yet the central allegory is never lost in action, nor is the storyline swamped by allegory. In less capable hands it might've been a maudlin movie, but instead is a finely crafted parable where a mysterious Christ-like figure (Hunter), introduced while taking Clark Gable's place in a prisoner head-count, accompanies and guides a mixed-nut boatload of escapees from Devil's Island. He's never an intrusive or moralizing figure, nor does he employ clever wordplay or ecstatic preachments, but assists each of the escapees as each individually confronts the internal corruption that led them to Devil's Island -- and the film's makers have the courage to show some of the men dealing with that confrontation, and some turning away from it, without giving judgment to the rightness or wrongness of either choice. This movie proves the potential for making a truly solid, entertaining and non-mawkish movie on orthodox Christian themes without the foolish baggage of robes and sandals (or insipid and sermony scripts). The movie's only disappointment is that Peter Lorre is not one of the escapees but a loathsome bounty hunter who has too few scenes. His character doesn't appear in the book, but deepens the parable. Overall, "Strange Cargo" is a movie that can be enjoyed for the plot alone, but which courageously adds layers, like those of an onion, that can be savored by the discerning. It's astounding this movie hasn't become a "cult" favorite, but perhaps its tendency to prompt introspection isn't much appreciated these days.
helpful•836
- vox-sane
- Jul 21, 1999
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,252,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 53 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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