Themes: Writer's Life, Fathers and Sons, Crimes Against Humanity
Main Cast: George C. Scott, David Hemmings, Gilbert Roland, Susan Tyrrell, Richard Evans
Release Year: 1977
Country: US
Run Time: 105 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
After a parade of top-heavy blockbusters (Papillon, Nicholas and Alexandra), director Franklin J. Schaffner retreats, like the Hemingway character of the film, to peaceful tropical serenity in Islands in the Stream (based on Ernest Hemingway's posthumously published novel). George C. Scott plays the rich, but world-weary writer Thomas Hudson, living on Bimini in the Bahamas, where he carouses, drinks, and fishes to his heart's content. Invading Hudson's paradise is a parade of the sons of his ex-wives. His oldest son Tom (Hart Bochner) succeeds in getting closer to his father, but the bonding comes to a halt as ripples from the encroaching conflagration of World War II intrude upon Hudson's retreat. Tom leaves the island to fight for the RAF. Then, one day, Hudson receives a visit from his ex-wife Audrey (Claire Bloom), who tells him that Tom has died in the war. Rejecting his insulated existence, Hudson decides to make a stand by agreeing to smuggle a group of Jewish refugees onto the island. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Review
So-so movies often contain exceptional elements, and that is very much the case with Islands in the Stream. Overall, the film doesn't work very well. Much of the dialogue is stilted and unconvincing. Neither the screenplay nor the direction can overcome the too-episodic nature of the source material. The ending is weak and forced, and there's a general lack of cohesiveness to the endeavor. However, while director Franklin J. Schaffner may have failed to correct the flaws in the script, he's in firm control of its other aspects. George C. Scott turns in a masterful, complex, and mesmerizing performance. He uses his natural, understated strength of presence to marvelous effect and makes believable the idea that this man would engage in a conflict from which he cannot escape. Claire Bloom is sensitive and engaging as his ex-wife, and David Hemmings plays a drunk convincingly and amusingly but without falling into caricature. Schaffner and cinematographer Fred Koenekamp have also created a visually gorgeous film, one that takes full advantage of the wide Panavision screen and that pays careful attention to composition. Finally, Jerry Goldsmith's undulating score is a perfect complement to the onscreen action. These individual gems gleam in their muddled surroundings. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Tony Scarano - Costume Designer, Kurt Neumann - First Assistant Director, Franklin J. Schaffner - Director, Robert Swink - Editor, Jerry Goldsmith - Composer (Music Score), Del Acevedo - Makeup, Richard Sharp - Makeup, William J. Creber - Production Designer, Fred Koenekamp - Cinematographer, Peter Bart - Producer, Max Palevsky - Producer, Ken Wales - Producer, Raphael Bretton - Set Designer, Alex C. Weldon - Special Effects, Darin Knight - Sound/Sound Designer, John K. Wilkinson - Sound/Sound Designer, Denne Bart Petitclerc - Screenwriter, Ernest Hemingway - Book Author
