Outcast of the Islands

Outcast of the Islands

original movie poster
Directed by Carol Reed
Produced by Carol Reed
Hugh Perceval
Written by Joseph Conrad (novel)
William Fairchild
Starring Robert Morley
Trevor Howard
Ralph Richardson
Wendy Hiller
Music by Brian Easdale
Cinematography Edward Scaife
John Wilcox
Edited by Bert Bates
Production
company
Distributed by British Lion Films
Lopert Pictures
Release dates
15 November 1951
Running time
102 min
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Box office £149,335 (UK)[1]

Outcast of the Islands is a 1951 film directed by Carol Reed based on Joseph Conrad's novel An Outcast of the Islands. The film features Robert Morley, Trevor Howard, Ralph Richardson, and Wendy Hiller.

Plot

Peter Willems, a selfish and ambitious man, is accused of stealing in his position as manager of a shipping port operation near Singapore. After he is terminated for his offense he reacquaints himself with the trading ship captain (Capt. Lingard) who befriended him as a 12-year-old boy. Lingard agrees to help Willems regain his reputation by taking him to a trading village located up a difficult-to-navigate channel near the coast of Batam. Lingard's son-in-law, Elmer Almeyer, operates a trading operation for Capt. Lingard in the village. Lingard asks Almeyer to take Willems under his wing and teach him the business. While Lingard is gone on one of his sea trips, Willems abuses his trust, seduces the village chieftain's daughter, attempts to steal Almeyer's business operation, humiliates Almeyer before the villagers, and shares the navigation secrets of the channel with a trader who competes with Capt. Lingard. Lingard returns to discover the mess Willems has made and confronts Willems — who has now been condemned by the villagers because of the shame he brought to the frail and dying chieftain. He abandons Willems to live in isolation and exile.

Cast

Production

The movie was filmed on location in Sri Lanka and at the Shepperton Studios in England.

Reception

The movie was nominated for best British film and best film from any source at the 1953 BAFTA awards.

References

  1. Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000 p495

External links