Terror no Paraíso

Until almost the end, this film does an exceptional job of accurately concentrating the plot and characterization of Conrad's great novel into a fairly short running time. The performances are all good to excellent, with Cedric Hardwicke particularly well cast as the languidly menacing Mr. Jones. And the direction and photography are occasionally inventive - especially memorable is the arrival of the three main antagonists, first seen as fast moving shadows that seem to emerge from the neck of the dark carriage horse that has brought them into town.

Unfortunately, the novel's incredibly moving and complex ending is replaced by a totally different, Hollywood, conclusion, which isn't awful but also isn't particularly good.

I read Conrad's Victory and thought it was a fantastic book then I saw the 1940's version of the film on British TV late one night and remember that being as true to the book as I could remember and also brilliant.

I read the book again on holiday in Bali the first time I'd been out of Europe and found it even better than the first time maybe because I was 20 odd years older.

I've always wanted to see the film again and wonder if it is available anywhere on DVD or to download.

Maybe its best remembered but I would love to see it again.

I saw this film about 15 years ago and cannot find a copy of it anywhere. It remains the best version I have seen to date and it captures the story and mood very well. No film can ever remain true to its mother book, but I found this version to be the best. In fact without reading the book it is a good film in its own right. The characters are well developed in the short time and although not everything is captured on film it is still honest and faithful to the book, as much as possible within an hour or so of film. I am seeking this film ardently and look forward to watching it again. If you're looking for a good film and then possibly reading the book I recommend this 1940 version as a 'Film' and a ' Movie'.

Drama/thriller from Paramount Pictures and director John Cromwell. Hendrik Heyst (Fredric March) lives alone on an isolated Southeast Asian island near Java. During one of his infrequent supply trips to a nearby town, he meets desperate showgirl Alma (Betty Field) who is on the run from some unsavory types. Hendrik decides to invite Alma back to his island to lie low for a while, but a trio of crooks led by the sinister Mr. Jones (Cedric Hardwicke) track them down, looking for the girl and the treasure they believe Hendrik has hidden away.

This is based on Joseph Conrad's novel of the same name, which I had previously seen adapted as a film in 1995, starring Willem DaFoe, Irene Jacob, and Sam Neill. I liked this version much more, as the filmmakers intended this to be an allegory on the U. S.'s unsustainable isolationist stance regarding WWII at the time. The acting is good, and I especially liked Hardwicke, an actor who I often dislike, perfectly cast as the creepy Mr. Jones. Jerome Cowan, using a high-pitched Cockney accent, is also a standout as Mr. Jones' sleazy "secretary". I may rate this even higher if I could see a better copy of it, as the one I watched was very washed out.

Joseph Conrad is one of those reliable authors of whose books it's impossible to make bad films. This one is certainly among his best, both concerning the novel and the film. Frederic March is unusually good, and Betty Field is just the right type for her sly manoeuvres, while Cedric Hardwicke as the leading crook gives the main zest to the movie, describing an interesting transition from unbearable superiority to helplessness and deadly fear Curiously enough, his life's greatest fear is the woman, and the highlight of the film is to study his face as he is made aware of a woman being present. Unfortunately it is difficult to come across decent copies of this film, but hopefully it will one day be adequately restored, which it deserves - it is definitely one of Crowell's very best films.