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Island in the Sun

  • 19571957
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Joan Fontaine, James Mason, Harry Belafonte, Joan Collins, Dorothy Dandridge, and Michael Rennie in Island in the Sun (1957)
Trailer for this classic drama set in the Caribbean
Play trailer3:31
1 Video
9 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
Set during the 1950s on a British-ruled Caribbean island, this drama deals with local politics, interracial relationships, social inequality, racism, adultery, and murder.Set during the 1950s on a British-ruled Caribbean island, this drama deals with local politics, interracial relationships, social inequality, racism, adultery, and murder.Set during the 1950s on a British-ruled Caribbean island, this drama deals with local politics, interracial relationships, social inequality, racism, adultery, and murder.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Rossen
  • Writers
    • Alfred Hayes
    • Alec Waugh(novel)
  • Stars
    • James Mason
    • Joan Fontaine
    • Dorothy Dandridge
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Rossen
  • Writers
    • Alfred Hayes
    • Alec Waugh(novel)
  • Stars
    • James Mason
    • Joan Fontaine
    • Dorothy Dandridge
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 38User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Island In The Sun
    Trailer 3:31
    Island In The Sun

    Photos9

    Dorothy Dandridge "Island In The Sun" 1957 20th Century Fox
    Joan Fontaine and Harry Belafonte in Island in the Sun (1957)
    Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge in Island in the Sun (1957)
    Joan Collins in Island in the Sun (1957)
    James Mason in Island in the Sun (1957)
    Stephen Boyd and Joan Collins in Island in the Sun (1957)
    Island in the Sun (1957)
    Dorothy Dandridge and John Justin in Island in the Sun (1957)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Mason
    James Mason
    • Maxwell Fleuryas Maxwell Fleury
    Joan Fontaine
    Joan Fontaine
    • Mavis Normanas Mavis Norman
    Dorothy Dandridge
    Dorothy Dandridge
    • Margot Seatonas Margot Seaton
    Joan Collins
    Joan Collins
    • Jocelyn Fleuryas Jocelyn Fleury
    Michael Rennie
    Michael Rennie
    • Hilary Carsonas Hilary Carson
    Harry Belafonte
    Harry Belafonte
    • David Boyeuras David Boyeur
    Diana Wynyard
    Diana Wynyard
    • Mrs. Betty Fleuryas Mrs. Betty Fleury
    John Williams
    John Williams
    • Colonel Whittinghamas Colonel Whittingham
    Stephen Boyd
    Stephen Boyd
    • Euan Templetonas Euan Templeton
    Patricia Owens
    Patricia Owens
    • Sylvia Fleuryas Sylvia Fleury
    Basil Sydney
    Basil Sydney
    • Julian Fleuryas Julian Fleury
    John Justin
    John Justin
    • Denis Archeras Denis Archer
    Ronald Squire
    Ronald Squire
    • Governor Templetonas Governor Templeton
    Hartley Power
    • Bradshawas Bradshaw
    Phil Trim
    Phil Trim
    • Steel Drums Playeras Steel Drums Player
    • (uncredited)
    Barbara Upton
    • Colonel's Secretaryas Colonel's Secretary
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Rossen
    • Writers
      • Alfred Hayes
      • Alec Waugh(novel)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Joan Fontaine received hundreds of hate letters, containing dimes and quarters, which read, "If you're so hard up that you have to work with a nigger..." They were post-marked from various parts of the country, but they seemed to be dictated by one organization, as many of the phrases were identical.
    • Quotes

      Mavis Norman: Does it make any difference, having an aim in life?

    • Connections
      Featured in Biography: Darryl F. Zanuck: 20th Century Filmmaker (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Island in the Sun
      Written by Harry Belafonte and Irving Burgie

      Performed by Harry Belafonte

    User reviews38

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    A soapy film about an island in the final days of colonialism
    "Island in the Sun" was filmed in Barbados and Grenada, though it's about a fictional British colonial island...roughly like Barbados or Grenada! In many ways, it's a film about the racism inherent in colonialism and in other ways is a soap opera set on a tropical island. It also features something shocking for its time...and interracial romance between Joan Fontaine and Harry Belafonte...something which, sadly, caused a bit of a commotion when it debuted.

    The movie is odd in that it seems to have many, many plots...too many for my taste. Much of it involves the Fleury family-- especially the incredibly strange character played by James Mason. But in addition to the Fleurys, there are many others--and the common thread to all of this is soapy romance. Many of the romances are interracial and the stories thrust seems to be that with the ending of colonialism comes the elimination of racial boundaries in love.

    As I mentioned, I actually think the film has too many plots. I also thought Mason's character was enough for one film....so either the film should have been all about him OR they should have eliminated him completely. Regardless, it's a confusing sort of film--with many excellent moments but not nearly enough focus. Decent but the film could have been so, so much better...especially since so many things that are brought up in this film are important and deserve a better presentation.
    helpful•8
    1
    • planktonrules
    • Feb 20, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 2, 1957 (Ireland)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Heiße Erde
    • Filming locations
      • Barbados
    • Production company
      • Darryl F. Zanuck Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $2,250,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Joan Fontaine, James Mason, Harry Belafonte, Joan Collins, Dorothy Dandridge, and Michael Rennie in Island in the Sun (1957)
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