Islands in the Stream

This film had been slated by some English critics I later discovered - one describing it as "awful". I hadn't read about it beforehand and was pleasantly surprised - no violence, explosions, sex! A soft, gentle film with romantic and family angst heavily emphasised. George C Scott was excellent in the 'Hemingway' role and had splendid support from the rest of the cast, especially Claire Bloom and Julius Harris (I except David Hemmings from this who came close to spoiling it with hamming it up; very annoying). The ending didn't do the rest of it justice, I felt; a little too much sugar! Well photographed and a good score too. A good film for a wet afternoon.

I found this film in the bargain DVD bin, so I went ahead and got it. The movie moves slow, but in a peaceful way, capturing the charm of real-life in the Caribbean. It's mostly an atmosphere-movie -- the charm of the movie is not so much in it's plot (Hemingway writes much better than his movies translate) but in the feel of the characters, and the beauty of its locale.

Set in the 1940's, it barely touches on WWII, and when it does, it seems to do so 'down a long hallway, darkly' -- that is to say, it feels distant.

George C Scott does a pretty darned good job with the lead character. Great actors never fail to elevate a movie. There's another fine performance put in by David Hemmings (Who I'd never seen before, and I learn from the IMDb database died in 2003) as the 'rummy' named Eddy.

The musical score is weird -- it really seems to stay with you after the movie is done. The previous commenter is correct -- the movie has a dreamy feel to it. There's very little by way of violence (at least by today's standards). What little there is, at the end, is accompanied by garishly bright and unrealistic blood.

Nonetheless, check this film out. It's truly an interesting and fun film.

From the opening score and scenes of the water, I was drawn to watch this movie. It was filmed somewhere in the Caribbean and the location was breathtaking. George C. Scott was perfect in the role of Tom Hudson, an Ernest Hemingway-ish character who was a complicated, lonely artist and expatriate who sculpted, drank, and fished his life away. It wasn't until the tragic end that he came to know what he'd been missing.

The music score was haunting and beautiful. I was so impressed with it that I ordered the soundrack.

This adaptation of a series of Hemingway stories never fails to be engaging. George C. Scott stars as a sculptor, Thomas Hudson, who lives in a Bahamian island paradise in 1940. The world is on the cusp of WWII, but people like Thomas aren't likely to be deeply affected by it, apart from the Jewish refugees that sometimes turn up on their island. That summer, Thomas is visited by his three sons - Tom (Hart Bochner), Andy (Brad Savage), and Davy (Michael-James Wixted) - whom he's sired with two different wives.

The script, by Denne Bart Petitclerc, follows a three-act structure, as it portrays Thomas' relationship with "The Boys", is visited by Toms' mother (Claire Boom) during "The Woman", and they reminisce about their past, and finally, shows what happens as Thomas and his friends Joseph (Julius Harris) and Eddy (David Hemmings) undertake "The Journey", wherein they act upon a chance to do some good.

Reuniting Scott with his "Patton" director, Franklin J. Schaffner, "Islands in the Stream" is a deliberately paced drama with a pleasant feel to it during its first two thirds, and an almost dream-like quality. Certainly it's very easy on the eyes, with its gorgeous photography of these exotic locations. It's also accompanied by a wonderful Jerry Goldsmith soundtrack. While some viewers might feel that the film goes downhill in its final third, this viewer never lost interest (although, admittedly, "Islands in the Stream" is never better than when it's a story of a father and his sons).

Scott gives one of his most engaging performances of all time, with similarly laudable work by such performers as Harris ("Live and Let Die"), Hemmings ("Deep Red"), Bloom ("The Haunting"), Gilbert Roland ("The Bad and the Beautiful"), Susan Tyrrell ("Forbidden Zone"), and Richard Evans ("Dirty Little Billy"). Bochner (in his feature debut), Savage, and Wixted are very appealing as the sons.

Overall, this is definitely worth a look: a nicely nuanced look at an interesting man - maybe not a truly great man - but who has certainly earned the admiration of his friends and offspring.

Seven out of 10.

This is one of the most memorable and moving films I saw in the 70s. Perfectly photographed and gently presented, this drama of a family dissecting how they feel about their artist father and his island atoll existence transports the viewer to genuinely feel as though we have been there as well. I revisited this film several times in 1978 taking friends and family and it became a completely immersing experience, and each visit made me admire the production, writing and themes more. It is presented as a trilogy, a family photo album in three parts, each with quiet profound realizations (without the screaming today would need) and presents the often sad or misplaced loyalty / admiration this 'great man' (Scott) commands but does not perhaps deserve. It is just a great great film instead. The scene in the second sequence where estranged wife Claire Bloom visits and takes him for a walk along the beach contains some of the most powerful acting I have ever enjoyed.. especially when Scott realizes why she has visited. Any time you see this film available, buy it or see it or take a good friend or family pal. Make it part of your life. I wish I could get a DVD and keep it so I can see it anytime. The music score is unforgettable. ISLANDS IN THE STREAM is one of the great 70s movies. Sad that it is so unknown. But you can change that. Spectacular young actor Hart Bochner possibly 19 at the time is the eldest of the three brothers, the younger two matching him as excellent actors. David Hemmings, just on the verge of losing his BLOW UP looks plays a drunken pal, and the glorious Claire Bloom as mentioned above is sublime. Add that to the Goldsmith score and the tropical locale, it is a solidly realized family drama that deserves wide appreciation.