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Le cargo maudit

Original title: Strange Cargo
  • 1940
  • Passed
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
Clark Gable and Joan Crawford in Le cargo maudit (1940)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer2:33
1 Video
34 Photos
AdventureDramaRomance

Convicts escaping from Devil's Island come under the influence of a strange Christ-like figure (Ian Hunter).Convicts escaping from Devil's Island come under the influence of a strange Christ-like figure (Ian Hunter).Convicts escaping from Devil's Island come under the influence of a strange Christ-like figure (Ian Hunter).

  • Director
    • Frank Borzage
  • Writers
    • Lawrence Hazard
    • Richard Sale
    • Anita Loos
  • Stars
    • Clark Gable
    • Joan Crawford
    • Ian Hunter
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    2.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Frank Borzage
    • Writers
      • Lawrence Hazard
      • Richard Sale
      • Anita Loos
    • Stars
      • Clark Gable
      • Joan Crawford
      • Ian Hunter
    • 51User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:33
    Watch Trailer

    Photos34

    Clark Gable and Joan Crawford in Le cargo maudit (1940)
    Le cargo maudit (1940)
    Le cargo maudit (1940)
    Le cargo maudit (1940)
    Le cargo maudit (1940)
    Le cargo maudit (1940)
    Le cargo maudit (1940)
    Le cargo maudit (1940)
    Le cargo maudit (1940)
    Le cargo maudit (1940)
    John Arledge in Le cargo maudit (1940)
    Clark Gable, Peter Lorre, and Joan Crawford in Le cargo maudit (1940)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Clark Gable
    Clark Gable
    • Verne
    Joan Crawford
    Joan Crawford
    • Julie
    Ian Hunter
    Ian Hunter
    • Cambreau
    Peter Lorre
    Peter Lorre
    • M'sieu Pig
    Paul Lukas
    Paul Lukas
    • Hessler
    Albert Dekker
    Albert Dekker
    • Moll
    J. Edward Bromberg
    J. Edward Bromberg
    • Flaubert
    Eduardo Ciannelli
    Eduardo Ciannelli
    • Telez
    John Arledge
    John Arledge
    • Dufond
    Frederick Worlock
    Frederick Worlock
    • Grideau
    • (as Frederic Worlock)
    Bernard Nedell
    Bernard Nedell
    • Marfeu
    Victor Varconi
    Victor Varconi
    • Fisherman
    Jack Adair
    • Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Alexander
    Richard Alexander
    • Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Stanley Andrews
    Stanley Andrews
    • Constable
    • (uncredited)
    Betty Compson
    Betty Compson
    • Suzanne
    • (uncredited)
    Gene Coogan
    Gene Coogan
    • Convict
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Cording
    Harry Cording
    • Guard
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Frank Borzage
    • Writers
      • Lawrence Hazard
      • Richard Sale
      • Anita Loos(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Received a "Condemned" rating from the Catholic Legion of Decency for "irreverent use of Scripture" and "lustful complications." Even after the studio made the changes demanded, distribution was sharply cut by cities refusing to book it. Contemporary articles in The Hollywood Reporter noted the film was banned in Detroit. Other sources state it also was banned in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island.
    • Goofs
      At one point, Verne (Clark Gable) escapes by jumping out a window into the water. A short while later, on land, he pulls a out a Bible from inside his shirt to check a map printed inside. As he flips through the pages, there is no sign whatsoever that the book got wet. The unprotected Bible should have shown signs of water immersion (damp edges, soggy paper, etc.), but it appears to be perfectly dry.
    • Quotes

      André Verne: So you outsmarted me, huh?

      Julie: That's what happens, they tell me, when smart people get together. One of them winds up ahead.

    • Alternate versions
      There is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA Srl: "VOLTO DI DONNA (1941) + DONNE (1939) + STRANGE CARGO (1940)" (3 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
    • Connections
      Featured in Captain Avenger (1980)

    User reviews51

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Religious Allegory Perhaps?
    I confess that I too do not entirely understand all of the message of Strange Cargo - and am not sure that whether or not that is an intentional device used to help each viewer decide meaning for himself/herself(OK, it's a stretch!). The story is simple: French prisoners in French Guyana are tired of the old prison life and routine and eventually make a break for the surrounding jungle amidst virtually no chances of success. We have a rather eclectic group: Clark Gable as arrogant as he comes as the head "Cheese" so to speak, Albert Dekker as Moll who is Gable's only real threat for supremacy, Paul Lukas as a spouse-killing German, Joan Crawford as a wise-cracking woman fallen on hard times(never quite sure whether or not it is established that she is/was a prostitute), and Ian Hunter in a strange role as some kind of super Christian and Samaritan. Aiding the cast is Peter Lorre as "Pig" who is after Crawford with a vengeful lust. The story is straightforward, but what is not is its intent. Each of these prisoners are troubled men with troubled consciences. Hunter's character is almost(or is indeed) a Christ-like figure out to ease each individual's pain and torment. Some men embrace his message prior to death, some live on with the promise of happiness, and one ignores it completely and resumes doing what he had that had gotten him into prison. I guess for me the thematically rich substrate is saying something about the importance of choice and the ease in which each of us can be forgiven if only we want to be forgiven. Director Frank Borzage does a decent job with this symbolic material. Some things might just be too ambiguous. But Borzage keeps the pacing going. Probably the most irritating thing for me was Gable's performance. His character is too pushy, too cocky, too crude to be charming, affable, or interesting at all. I didn't care what happened to him and routinely rooted against him. Joan Crawford fares much better giving a pretty nice performance with some dimension - though not much. Dekker and Lukas are very good; Lorre is good with a throwaway role. For me, Ian Hunetr gives the best, most interesting, and most likable performance as the mouthpiece of Heaven so to speak. His subtle acting really diminishes the possible heavy-handedness inherent in a role like this. Hunter plays his part in a first-rate fashion. Though certainly not one of the greatest films ever made, I found Strange Cargo a very interesting movie with a very interesting message.
    helpful•36
    8
    • BaronBl00d
    • Feb 27, 2005

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 1, 1940 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Strange Cargo
    • Filming locations
      • Laguna, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $1,252,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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