Konterr
Brilliant and touching
Twilightfa
Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.
Marva-nova
Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.
mnofan
I saw this movie while in high school, it was recommended. I always liked watching movies in school because then we didn't have to do school work.This movie is a fantastic movie, with great cinematography and a depth of characters that makes you root for the ones less likely to be someone you would call friend.Spencer Tracy plays a priest who lost his faith, while Frank Sinatra plays a man who never had faith. Brought together during a disaster and I couldn't imagine two better actors to portray these men.The supporting actors combined with the stars turn this movie into a powerful choice about doing the right thing or living.
Spikeopath
The Devil at 4 O'Clock is directed by Mervin LeRoy and adapted to screenplay by Liam O'Brien from the novel of the same name written by Max Catto. It stars Spencer Tracy, Frank Sinatra, Kerwin Mathews, Jean- Pierre Aumont, Grégoire Aslan, Bernie Hamilton, Barbara Luna and Cathy Lewis. Music is by George Duning and cinematography by Joseph F. Biroc.Pleasantly old fashioned film making, a disaster movie from the early 60s that boasts star appeal and nifty effects for the era. Plot finds Tracy as Father Doonan, a cleric who has lost his faith and likes a tipple or two. Ensconsed on a pacific island that houses a children's leper hospital, Father Doonan is to be relieved of his duties by Father Joseph Perreau (Mathews). Enter three convicts who have to stop by the island, fronted by angry agnostic Harry (Sinatra), the cons are put to work in the leper hospital just as the island volcano decides it is time to erupt and level the island post haste.What transpires sees a race against time formula adhered to, with added slices of sacrifice and redemption unfurled for our emotionally tickled enjoyment. It's undeniably too long at over two hours, really stretching the premise to breaking point, but such is the fine work of cast, photographer and director, it rounds out as spiffing entertainment. Great ending as well! 7/10
Chris Gaskin
The Devil at 4 O'Clock is an excellent disaster movie from 1961.Three convicts on their way to Tahiti land on a volcanic island in the South Seas to allow a new priest to alight. They help out at a leper hospital there but a volcano blows its top and the children at the hospital are in danger. Outgoing Father Dunnon and the three convicts team up and go to rescue the children but a footbridge collapses, stranding Dunoon and one of the convicts, who later dies. The children make it to safety and Ol' Blue Eyes, who plays one of the convicts goes back to be with Dunoon and the island finally explodes and sinks into the sea.This movie has excellent special effects, especially the eruption scenes.As well as Frank Sinartra, the cast also includes the excellent Spencer Tracy as Dunoon and Kerwin Mathews (The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Jack the Giant Killer).The Devil at 4 O'Clock is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Excellent.Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
Ripshin
Turner Classic Movies is my favorite cable channel. I have worked in the production industry for twenty years, and have picked up a few film degrees. TCM is a goldmine. I was not familiar with this film, and am pleasantly surprised. Yes, it is a precursor to the 70s disaster films, in a way, but still a worthy film for Tracy and Sinatra.Today, the film would be saddled with an obligatory happy ending, so the realism, per se, of this script is welcomed. The heroism is earned, not dictated.All in all, worth the two hours. And since IMDb now requires ten lines in order for a comment to post, I will continue typing. If ONLY most "posters" could LIMIT themselves to ten lines.
