Search - We're No Angels on DVD

This is MY Christmas Movie

M. J. Walters | Chicago, IL USA | 12/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every year around the holidays, I sit down with a cup of coffee, wrap an afghan around myself and fall under the spell of this film yet again. It's the story of three convicts trying to escape Devil's Island at Christmas. And in spite of their best (or worst)intentions to do in a struggling shopkeeper and his family and steal all their money, they end up celebrating the holidays as part of the family.The casting is unexpected but quite wonderful, with tough guys Humphrey Bogart and Aldo Ray showing their comic sides. Peter Ustinov rounds out the trio of crooks and murderers nicely, with his dry, self-effacing delivery. Leo G. Carroll, Joan Bennett and Basil Rathbone all turn in wonderful performances on the law-abiding side of things.We're No Angels is a film that never drifts into sappiness or sentimentality. There's always a little edge to the comedy, a little darkness underlying the light, and that makes for delicious viewing. It's a very human and humane comedy for people who don't want their holiday spoiled by too much sugar. One caveat: Do NOT mistake the remake for this film. They're not the same by any stretch."

THE funniest Christmas Movie ever made !

M. J. Walters | 09/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anytime I visit my local Video store around the Christmas Season,I have to remind the Manager,that besides " Miracle on 34 th. Street " and the usual array of "feel good" movies for the holidays,this one is never on the shelf with the others..but it should be ! The combination of Bogart,Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray is perfect.Every cliche,like " poisonous snakes always get the bad guy,the good guy can pick it up with his bare hands "...has been met head on,and they work well.All the characters are endearing and the end is wonderful,I see it every Christmas along with " The Bishophs Wife ".Who would not want to sit and have 90 minutes with Bogie & Co. ? Not me !!!!"

Under-rated Masterpiece

Clea Brooks | Seattle, WA United States | 08/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know who would not like this movie, the only drawback? There is none. This film is one of the funniest most under-rated movies I have ever seen and it is a winner for anyone. Besides having an all-star cast of Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Basil Rathbone it also stars favorites such as Joan Bennett, Leo. G. Carroll, and not so well know but equally excellent Aldo Ray. Rathbone vies with Carroll to steal the show, although Ustinov is a visibly brilliant in all of his scenes. The magic of this film is the excellent chemistry between Ray, Bogart, and Ustinov and the hilariously funny screenplay done by Ranald MacDougall. The script is hilarious and will keep you laughing even if you know all the lines. The plot also is great and a winner for not only Christmas time but year round. I don't know why the critics panned the movie; except that Bogart was continually typecast as the "male lead". He is surprisingly funny however making this movie one of his absolute best. I don?t know what else to say except "Watch it!!!""

We're No Angels

Victoria Midkiff | Cincinnati, Ohio | 01/16/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favorite Christmas movie of all time. When we were kids my sister and I would watch this every Christmas Eve. I really like this movie better than "It's a Wonderful Life." We're No Angels has a bit of an edge, and it emphasizes an important message. Everyone, no matter what they have done, or how they are viewed by society, is capable of goodness. This is a really great movie, and I miss seeing it every year.

Just a Note: There was a movie released in 1989 with Sean Penn and Robert DeNero that shares the title, but not the plot. In that movie two escaped convicts end up in a convent. I like it, too, but I think the 1955 We're No Angels about the three convicts who escape from Devil's Island and help the family who owns the General Store is better by far."