Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison

19571957
ApprovedApproved
1h 47m

Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Trailer for this classic comedy

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Adventure Drama War

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 re... Read allDuring 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.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)
- Charles Shaw(novel)
Stars
- Robert Mitchum
- Deborah Kerr

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 1 win & 7 nominations total

Videos1

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison

Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Robert Mitchum in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Deborah Kerr in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Robert Mitchum in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Deborah Kerr in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Robert Mitchum in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Deborah Kerr in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Deborah Kerr in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Robert Mitchum in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Robert Mitchum in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Corporal Allison USMCas Corporal Allison USMC

Sister Angelaas Sister Angela

Director
- John Huston
Writers
- John Lee Mahin(screenplay)
- John Huston(screenplay)
- Charles Shaw(novel)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

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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. —Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; jonathanroberts

title same as book 1940s fruit picking sea turtle prayer 57 more

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.
Genres
Certificate
- Approved
Parents guide

Trivia
When filming began, Robert Mitchum worried that Deborah Kerr would be like the prim characters she frequently played. However, after she swore at director John Huston during one take, Mitchum, who was in the water, almost drowned laughing. The two stars went on to have an enduring friendship which lasted until Mitchum's death in 1997.

Goofs
Robert Mitchum is shown throughout the movie wearing a metal expansion bracelet for his wristwatch. Such bracelets were introduced by Speidel in the 1950s.

Quotes
Cpl. Allison, USMC: I, uh... I've never loved anyone or anybody before... I've never even *lived* before. Never really... lived... inside. That's why I want to ask you to marry me. I want to look after you... not only while we're here but for the rest of our lives. So, tell me, ma'am, if there's a chance.
[awkward pause]
Cpl. Allison, USMC: I don't mean to give offense. ma'am, but... is there?
Sister Angela: No, Mr. Allison. You see, I've already given my heart... to Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Cpl. Allison, USMC: Like you was engaged or somethin'?
Sister Angela: Yes.
[shows him her left hand]
Sister Angela: This is the ring, and when I take my final vows, I'll wear a gold one: a marriage ring.
Cpl. Allison, USMC: Oh, I didn't know it was set up like that. I guess I didn't have no right to speak.
[slaps the box beside him, stands up]
Cpl. Allison, USMC: Well, I guess I'll go fix that lean-to for ya!

Crazy credits
Opening credits prologue: 1944 SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

Connections
Featured in The Sopranos: For All Debts Public and Private (2002)

Soundtracks
Rappa Kimigayo
(uncredited)

Top review

7/10

underrated Huston classic

This film shows the depth of feeling that John Huston was capable of as a director. It also shows how wonderfully he handled actors, eliciting great performances from both Mitchum and Kerr. Though it doesn't have the humor of The African Queen, it shows a similar since of dignity to the characters. It also shows respect for the audience in that it doesn't feel the need to resort to romantic over-indulgences or tear-jerking death scenes to win us over. Both characters remain intact physically and spiritually at the end. Also worth mentioning is Oswald Morris's beautiful location photography on the island of Tobago. Fox did a wonderful job on the DVD transfer.

helpful•36

14

tolbs1010
Feb 6, 2005

Release date
- March 13, 1957 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Languages
- English
- Japanese
Also known as
- Bog zna, gospodine Alison
Filming locations
- Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
Production company
- Twentieth Century Fox
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Budget
- $3,000,000 (estimated)

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
1 hour 47 minutes
Color
- Color
Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1

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Top Gap

By what name was Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957) officially released in India in English?

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