MovieChat Forums > Outcast of the Islands (1952) Discussion > It's a pity ...

It's a pity ...

posted 8 years ago by spookyrat1
4 replies | jump to latest

... they couldn't raise the brass to film in colour with the extensive Sri Lankan locations. Black and white was used brilliantly in The Third Man, but here, it's to the detriment of the film. Arguably one of the reasons it's so little known.🐭

[–] mam13143 8 years ago

Watching it now on TCM and I agree, the film seems too washed out for lack of a better term. It's like watching "the African Queen" in black and white. Typical Reed directing with everyone underplaying their roles much like in the Third Man. But....what a cast indeed! Trevor Howard and the rest are top rate actors of course. Great film but I can see how the all Brit cast limited its attraction in the US.

[–] pixelwks 8 years ago

Maybe Trevor Howard's best screen performance.
He plays an unlikable character brilliantly.

I almost gave up on the film in the beginning partly because of the look.
Surprised I never heard of this film before.

[–] mdonln 8 years ago

mam13143 says > Watching it now on TCM and I agree, the film seems too washed out for lack of a better term.

I couldn't disagree more. I hadn't even noticed the lack of color until I came here and read this thread but having considered it, I didn't miss it.

For this movie color would have been too distracting. The visual appeal would have taken away from the story. I felt the lack of color reflected the character Willem.

Wherever he went, whatever he touched, and with whomever he dealt he had a way of introducing darkness into the equation. The island was a lush, lively, vivid, and beautiful place but he didn't seem to notice any of that. He was miserable and found ways to disrupt and ruin a lot of people's lives for his own selfish purposes. In a way we're seeing things through his eyes. We don't see variations of color; like him we see the stark contrast of black and white.

That's how someone like him would see things - either something is in their favor or it's not. He doesn't care if he cheats people who have helped him or for whom he cares (even if it's not much) like Aissa. He never considers anyone other than himself.

Also, while it may not technically be one, I consider this movie an island film noir. Willem made a lot of bad choices and was responsible for what happened to him but when he met Aissa he seemed to lose all control. Going to the islands was another chance to redeem himself but he couldn't help himself. She had a bewitching effect on him that he didn't even understand. He lost any chance he had and in the process brought her down with him. He couldn't break the spell - until the end. He was finally able to resist her influence by not shooting Lingard but by then it was already too late. As Lingard told him, he was empty inside and she saw it too. The final scene shows her complete disgust with him and probably herself.

The story was well told without color. At the time it wasn't yet the standard so there was no need to add extra costs since color wouldn't have added anything to the story. In fact, I suspect it would have taken something away from it.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] kino66 8 years ago

For this movie color would have been too distracting. The visual appeal would have taken away from the story.

Agree. Better in B/W.