Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

During World War II, an American marine and an Irish nun form an unlikely friendship after being stranded on a South Pacific island. They find comfort in one another as the two hope for a rescue.

Director:

John Huston

Writers:

John Lee Mahin (screenplay), John Huston (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Mitchum, Deborah Kerr

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Deborah Kerr	...	Sister Angela
Robert Mitchum	...	Corporal Allison USMC

Storyline

In 1944, the castaway Corporal Allison, adrift in a raft since his ship was attacked, lands on tiny Tuasiva Island, where he meets Sister Angela. She tells him that she is the only person on the island, having been left behind while trying to evacuate a priest. The nun and the marine are stranded, but the island offers a bountiful supply of food. However, their paradisiacal life ends when the Japanese arrive to build an outpost, forcing "Mr." Allison and the nun to take refuge in a cave. The marine's expertise in such conditions proves to be vital to their survival, and the two grow ever closer.

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Plot Keywords:

title same as book | 1940s | fruit picking | sea turtle | prayer | 

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Taglines:

They were alone on this Pacific Island... trapped behind enemy lines... the marine who had been thru Hell and Sister Angela with her supreme faith in God.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

First of four movies that paired Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum.

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Goofs

As the barefoot Mr. Allison is walking through the first shack on the island, his shoes are tied together and hanging around his neck but the sound is of shod feet walking on the floor boards of the shack.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Cpl. Allison, USMC: Let's just keep it quiet, ma'am. You speak English?
Sister Angela: Yes.
Cpl. Allison, USMC: Are there any Japs around?
Sister Angela: You're... You're an American.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: 1944 SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

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Connections

Referenced in What's My Line?: Robert Mitchum (1957)

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Soundtracks

Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (with Anyone Else but Me)
(uncredited)
Music by Sam H. Stept
Lyrics by Lew Brown & Charles Tobias
Performed by Robert Mitchum

User Reviews

Magnificent and Adorable Movie

In 1944, in South Pacific, the castaway Marine Corporal Allison (Robert Mitchum) drifts in a raft to the Tuasiva Island, where he meets Sister Angela (Deborah Kerr). She tells him that she is the only person in the island and was left behind by the runaway boat to Fiji Island while seeking the local priest. Stranded in the island, but with water, fish and fruits, their paradisiacal life ends when the Japanese arrive to build a base, forcing Allison and the nun to hide in a cave. The crude marine provides the necessary supply for their survival and falls in love for the nun.

"Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" is not a masterpiece, but it is one of my favorite movies ever. The beautiful story is a kind of Robison Crusoe in times of World War II, without Friday, cannibals or pirates, but a hardened marine, a gorgeous nun and Japanese. The story has war, adventure, romance and drama, and is supported by the awesome direction of John Huston and the stunning performances of Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr in the roles of endearing characters. Deborah Kerr deserved her nomination to the Oscar, but Robert Mitchum was forgotten by the Academy in spite of having a top-notch performance. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Céu Por Testemunha" ("The Heaven as Witness")

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

13 March 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison

Filming Locations:

Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound Recording) 4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1