Islands in the Stream (1977)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Franklin J. Schaffner

Writers:

Ernest Hemingway (story)
Denne Bart Petitclerc (writer)

Release Date:

8 August 1977 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Thomas Hudson
David Hemmings	...	Eddy
Gilbert Roland	...	Captain Ralph
Hart Bochner	...	Tom
Susan Tyrrell	...	Lil
Richard Evans	...	Willy
Claire Bloom	...	Audrey
Julius Harris	...	Joseph
Brad Savage	...	Andrew
Michael-James Wixted	...	David
Hildy Brooks	...	Helga Ziegner
Jessica Rains	...	Andrea
Walter Friedel	...	Herr Ziegner
Charles Lampkin	...	Constable

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Sweden:15 | UK:12 (video rating) (2005) | UK:A (original rating) | USA:PG

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Jerry Goldsmith repeatedly said this was his favorite score he composed.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Legend of Dinosaurs (#1.21)" (1989)

not a perfect film but far better than average

George C. Scott is at his best in this adaptation of a Hemingway story (which, if I'm not mistaken was left unfinished) about a man who, late in life, is experiencing regrets over the loss of time with his sons. The main character, like Hemingway, was married multiple times and always seemed to run out on them shortly after the children were born. As a result, his relationships with his three sons is strained, to say the least. It's obvious Hemingway was being autobiographical here, but unlike the lead in the movie who tries to make good (albiet late), Hemingway chose suicide over mending fences. At least the lead character TRIES to make a run from his tropical island home to the mainland to be with his kids full-time. To me, these parallel stories (true and fictional) makes this movie incredibly sad and wistful, while at the same time great acting and exceptional writing provide great impact as well.