Fire Down Below (1957)

Director:

Robert Parrish

Writers:

Irwin Shaw (screenplay)
Max Catto (novel)

Release Date:

May 1957 (UK)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

Torrid, tempestuous Irena...the spark that turned the tropics into a blazing cauldron of passions!

Plot:

Tony and Felix own a tramp boat, and sail around the Caribbean doing odd jobs and drinking a lot. They...

Plot Keywords:

Switchblade | Roadboatmovie | Based On Novel

Cast

Rita Hayworth	...	Irena
Robert Mitchum	...	Felix Bowers
Jack Lemmon	...	Tony
Herbert Lom	...	Harbor Master
Bonar Colleano	...	Lt. Sellars
Bernard Lee	...	Dr. Sam Blake
Peter Illing	...	Captain of the 'Ulysses'
Edric Connor	...	Jimmy Jean
Anthony Newley	...	Miguel
Eric Pohlmann	...	Hotel Owner
Lionel Murton	...	American
Vivian Matalon	...	Sailor
Gordon Tanner	...	Sailor
Maurice Kaufmann	...	Sailor
Joan Miller	...	Mrs. Canaday

Runtime:

USA:116 min | UK:116 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:12 (nf) | USA:Approved (certificate #17966) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Warwick Film Productions

Trivia:

Inspired by their location shoot in Trinidad/Tobago, Robert Mitchum recorded a calypso album, and 'Jack Lemmon' (q) scored a harmonica theme for the movie.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In an early scene, Felix and Tony are supposed to be transporting Irena on their boat when they get into a fist fight. Jimmy Jean continues to steer before eventually breaking up the fight. The camera pulls back and shows that the boat isn't moving.

Quotes:

Irena: Are you wanted by the police?
Felix Bowers: Oh, I wouldn't go so far as to say that. Let's put it this way: if I *presented* myself to them, they would not *reject* me.

Soundtrack:

Fire Down Below

Song and Location

You can't go wrong seeing a movie with the three stars that are in this one. But the real feature of this film is the location shooting in Trinidad/Tobago. If this doesn't make you want to choose that as your next vacation you are a hopeless stick-in-the-mud.

The song was also a big hit in 1957. It's a great melody and you hear it and you can't get it out of your mind.

Two men whose friendship his tested by a woman they both have the hots for. And when that woman is Rita Hayworth, who can wonder. She's older now, but still incredibly beautiful.

See a great story and appreciate Trinidad, make those vacation plans.