Who Knows or Cares?

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Nobody cares about Carol Reed's Outcast of the Islands, a 1952 adaptation of Joseph Conrad's novel with Trevor Howard in the lead role of Willem, a man who surrenders his dignity and civility for the love of a native woman. It's a forgotten film and nobody cares at all. Except, I'm thinking, possibly those obsessive weirdos at the Criterion Collection. Those guys are just whacked enough to put out a remastered version of this British-produced film on DVD.

I saw it on the tube eons ago, and I've never forgotten a scene in which Robert Morley has been tied up inside a hammock with the hammock having been hung by a rope from a tall tree, and Morley, poor fellow, is shown swinging back and forth while being taunted by Howard and some local natives with sticks and spears.

The story mostly takes place in Malaysia. I don't remember the particulars. I've never read the Conrad book, but I've been told it's a bit grim. Ralph Richardson and Wendy Hiller costar in the film. The striking black-and-white cinematography is by Ted Scaife and John Wilcox.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on April 8, 2008 at 5:57 PM

comment #1

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

I've been waiting forever for that one-- as an admirer of all of Reed's early work, from Night Train to Munich to The Fallen Idol. And long had the same thought-- why ISN'T this a Criterion title? So the picture link isn't working, is that the cover of an actual Criterion release coming soon? Or are you just wondering why there isn't one, like I am?

Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau at April 8, 2008 6:27 PM

comment #2

Aguirre says ...

if criterion is in fact in the process of putting out an outcast from the islands disc, it is not yet public knowledge (nor is it even rumored at the moment). moreover, that is certainly not the artwork, as it is FAR beneath criterion's aesthetic standards.

Posted by Aguirre at April 8, 2008 6:30 PM

comment #3

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

Yeah, now that I can see the artwork (a 50s lobby card, I assume) it's clear Jeff is saying why isn't this a Criterion title? I know it was in 16mm distribution in the 80s, and from multiple distributors. but either video rights or Criterion-level materials are unavailable to them.

Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau at April 8, 2008 6:34 PM

comment #4

rocco says ...

Malaysia? You mean it's a Hawaii movie??...looks like I'll be avoiding this one...

Posted by rocco at April 8, 2008 6:41 PM

comment #5

Aguirre says ...

yeah, i mean, unless the folks at criterion just don't like the movie i see no reason why they wouldn't give it a go (beyond rights issues, obviously). i know the only carol reed they've put out is his work with graham greene, but... that shouldn't stop em. though there are sooooo many other films i'd rather see them take on.

Posted by Aguirre at April 8, 2008 7:02 PM

comment #6

hailfreedonia says ...

Andrew Sarris showed this movie at Columbia U. film school ... I remember it as being very dark and good, with Trevor Howard giving a really wonderful anti-hero performance, unlike anything else I've seen him do.

Posted by hailfreedonia at April 8, 2008 7:18 PM

comment #7

Glenn Kenny says ...

Jeff, the Criterion guys are not whacked out. They are sane cinephiles who run a business (and do it well). Hence, they make a fairly large number of their decisions based on what makes sense for their business. I'm not sure "Outcast of the Islands" makes that cut. If Criterion were still working with Homevision, an extras-light remastered editionÃ¢â‚¬â€such as what Homevision did with Reed's "A Kid For Two Farthings"Ã¢â‚¬â€might be a possibility. But no. If I were you, I'd get an all-region DVD player, hunker down, and waitÃ¢â‚¬â€your best bet for re-experiencing the scene you mention lies in a British DVD issue, which is entirely within the realm of possibility...

Posted by Glenn Kenny at April 8, 2008 7:24 PM

comment #8

Gaydos says ...

For what it's worth, Monte Hellman cited this as his favorite movie many moons ago and years later I managed to get a Pal VHS when I lived in England. It's an INCREDIBLE film and deserves much wider recognition.

Posted by Gaydos at April 8, 2008 7:57 PM

comment #9

berg says ...

any love for Carol Reed's THE RUNNING MAN with Harvey, Bates, and Remick?

Posted by berg at April 8, 2008 8:10 PM

comment #10

btwnproductions says ...

It's a good movie. The Brooklyn Academy of Music screened an acceptable print two years ago.

Posted by btwnproductions at April 8, 2008 8:42 PM

comment #11

lipranzer says ...

A couple of my co-workers have told me if I'm a Carol Reed fan - and I am - I should definitely check this out. As long as we're talking old Carol Reed titles that deserve to go on DVD, I'd also nominated THE STARS LOOK DOWN, which, IMHO, outclasses the similarly-themed HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY in every way.

Posted by lipranzer at April 8, 2008 9:33 PM

comment #12

Major Calloway says ...

Can't let a Carol Reed thread pass by without posting this link to a clip from a personal favorite:

youtube.com/watch?v=eKe9SIQkkl4

No Criterion here either, but thanks to this posting I've been prompted to track down a sweet-looking Region 2 special edition, (which I expect many of you may already have):

www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=531736

Posted by Major Calloway at April 8, 2008 10:19 PM

comment #13

nemo says ...

I've often wondered exactly why Outcast of the Islands, out of all Carol Reed's films, has been unavailable for so long.

It's not exactly obscure. I've been reading about it for decades, and everyone who's seen it and written about it recommends it.

And it's not from an obscure period of Reed's career. It's the fourth of a terrific series of films: Odd Man Out, The Fallen Idol, The Third Man, and Outcast of the Islands. Every undergrad on earth has seen The Third Man, and Odd Man Out is also famous and widely available. Only The Fallen Idol is somewhat obscure, and even it has been available on VHS for a long time.

And then earlier in his career there's Night Train to Munich, which has also been easy to find on VHS.

So why the discrimination against Outcast of the Islands? Did it tank badly at the box office?

Speaking of obscure Carol Reed films, I just noticed The Key, starring Sophia Loren, William Holden, and Trevor Howard is available in VHS at my public library. I've never heard of it, but I plan to rent it as soon as it's returned. It's a WWII drama made in 1958, just before Our Man in Havana.

Posted by nemo at April 9, 2008 8:14 AM

comment #14

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

My guess is it wasn't produced by one of the major distributors (like Rank) but by some small company, and the rights are either in limbo or simply forgotten by whoever the heirs or assignees are all these years later; that might explain why it was widely available in 16mm 30 years ago, but now there's nobody who cares enough about it to license it for DVD. There are more films in that kind of limbo than we realize (where's a GOOD version of Korda's Jungle Book, eh?)

By the way, anybody who has an all-region player and likes midcentury British cinema, I have five words to say to you: It Always Rains on Sunday.

Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau at April 9, 2008 8:25 AM

comment #15

Arizona Joe says ...

What a find. Thanks for the tip.

It's amazing to me that some of these lesser films from yesteryear sound more interesting than the Oscar contenders of today.

Posted by Arizona Joe at April 9, 2008 12:33 PM

comment #16

nemo says ...

Mgmax may be a right-wing pygmy when it comes to politics, but he has impeccable knowledge and taste when it comes to movies. Especially silents and mid-century British cinema, but really, he covers the gamut. He's the go-to guy.

Posted by nemo at April 9, 2008 3:49 PM

comment #17

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

Um... thanks, sorta.

Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau at April 9, 2008 6:15 PM

comment #18

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

Okay, I meant that to be more bemused than it is now looking in cold type. I do appreciate the compliment, Nemo.

Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau at April 9, 2008 6:23 PM

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comment #30

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Actually the plot of the book was quite profound in my opinion but the movie didn't do justice to the book, which isn't uncommon you know.
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