Dieu seul le sait

One of the great injustices of Hollywood history is the fact that Deborah Kerr was nominated for Best Actress while Robert Mitchum got nary a mention for Best Actor in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison. Kerr had several nominations, but never came up a winner. Mitchum was nominated once at the beginning of his career in the Best Supporting Actor category in The Story of GI Joe and then never again.

In Mitchum's case I think that some of his irreverent comments offended a few people. Sometimes Bob was a bit too candid about what he thought of the film industry and his chosen profession. Otherwise he might well have gotten nominations for this, Night of the Hunter, Cape Fear, Ryan's Daughter, The Sundowners, The Friends of Eddie Coyle and a few others.

This film is always and rightly compared to The African Queen with a female in the religious missionary profession and a hell-raising outsider thrown together in war time. The African Queen was in World War I and this film is set on a backwater Pacific island in World War II.

Corporal Allison, USMC arrives on a rubber raft after the Japanese opened fire on a submarine he was on. The only other person on the island is a nun who has seen all the others die or flee the island. It's a small island, but apparently strategically located.

The film is about these two mismatched people thrown together and what they have to do to survive. Deborah Kerr is a nun who hasn't yet taken her final vows and being alone on the island with Mitchum is a temptation no doubt.

Mitchum though has his own code. He's a foundling kid who took the name of Allison because that was the street in Milwaukee he was dropped off on. He was a juvenile delinquent until he joined the Marines and they gave his life a meaning. The Marine Corps manual is his Bible as much as the Scripture is Kerr's.

I can identify with that because in fact I had a cousin who was in the Marines who did in fact straighten him out. He was a hell raising kid in his youth and he became if not a solid citizen after his service, at least a respectable one.

John Huston got unforgettable performances out of his credited cast of two. Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison has not dated one single bit since its release.

We all need something to believe in to get us through in this world.

John Huston virtually remade "The African Queen" as a two-hander but set during the Second World War and on a Pacific island occupied by the Japanese and on which are hiding an American marine, (Robert Mitchum), and a nun, (Deborah Kerr), the only other sole occupants. Dextrously moving between scenes of genuine suspense, (will they be discovered), and real intimacy in which the comic as well as the dramatic potentials of the story are beautifully played out by both actors, Huston creates a film that works on a number of levels and shows real flair for the use of the widescreen imposed on him by 20th Century Fox. Indeed Kerr wears her habit as if to the manor born, (she's a much more relaxed nun than her Sister Clodagh in "Black Narcissus"), while Mitchum, with only Kerr to react to, has probably never been better. In this film he refined his laconic style to a fine art. Although popular with those who have seen it the film has never really acquired much of a reputation even if it is one of Huston's finest and certainly most undervalued films.

During WWW II in a Pacific tropical island that might be a paradise in other circunstances , there a ship-wrecked , two-fisted American soldier : Robert Mitchum and a nun : Deborah Kerr's favourite film make an unlikely friendship and eventually falling in love . But then the island is invaded , appearing a Japanese detachment overrun the lonely place and the duo hide out during the day and forage for food by night , gradually revealing their pasts to each other . Meanwhile , they struggle to stay alive until USA forces invade the island.

Terrific double studio character on two interesting roles finds a tough soldier , and a sensitive nun , along the way he falls hard while she resists his advances . An enjoyable and good movie with plenty of action , entertainment , high pathos, excitement and tenderness . Perfectly cast Deborah Kerr as kind nun and Robert Mitchum as Marine Sergeant Allison , both of whom providing top-notch interpretations . Based on the novel by Charles Shaw and cleverly written script from John Lee Mahin and John Huston himself . It follows in the wake of The African Queen , instead of a riverboat skipper : Bogart and a missionary : Hepburn here there is a soldier and a nun , delivering virtually duologue between the two .

It packs colorful cinematography by Oswald Morris , providing the exquisite , humid and lush atmosphere of a small tropical island. As well as rousing and stirring musical score by George Auric. This decently made picture results to be one of John Huston's best . Being skillfully made by conveying a moving drama , adventure and battles to hold the interest enough . Huston made films of all kinds of genres , directing some masterpieces , outstanding the following ones : The Maltese Falcon , Key Largo, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre , Moulin Rouge , Beat the Devil, Moby Dick , The Unforgiven, The Misfits , Freud, The Night of the Iguana , Fat City , Roy Bean , Victory , Wise Blood , Under the Volcano , and his last feature film : The Dead . Rating : 7.5/10 . Better than average . The movie will appeal to Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr fans .

This movie stands out as my favorite WW2 film. It not only explores the nature of honor, but also male female relations and faith in such things. I give it my highest marks with the caveat that it is NOT an action film. This is primarily a drama.

Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr give beautiful performances in this touching study of a Marine and a young nun who find themselves stranded on a Pacific island during WWII. Their platonic relationship deepens when the Japanese return to occupy the island, and Cpl. Allison and Sister Angela take refuge in a cave, surviving by his wits, her prayers, and the saving grace of their mutual respect and affection. Mitchum gives one of the finest performances of his career as the proud Marine who finds himself falling in love with his companion, and Deborah Kerr is unaffectedly enchanting as Sister Angela. Quiet moments of compelling character study are interspersed with suspenseful action sequences set amid ruggedly beautiful scenery.