Beat the Devil (Region B)

Humphrey Bogart stars in this classic adventure comedy directed by John Huston and written by Truman Capote.

One of a disparate group of fortune-seekers looking to claim uranium-rich land East Africa, a hard-up Billy Dannreuther (Bogart) faces the swindling machinations of his cohorts as they await passage from an Italian port. But with scheming and ruses aplenty, will this motley crew miss the boat completely…?

Presented in a new 4K restoration, this wry send-up of noir classics – including Hustons own The Maltese Falcon – features an all-star cast including Jennifer Jones, Gina Lollobrigida and Peter Lorre.

Extras

Presented in High Definition and Standard Definition

Audio commentary featuring films historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman (2018)

Audio commentary featuring DoP Oswald Morris, script supervisor Angela Allen and directors assistant Jeanie Simms (2007)

By the Fireside (1945, 2 mins): an advert for Maypole Tea emphasising the quintessential Englishness of the afternoon tea ritual

Alexander Cockburn Beat the Devil (2010, 22 mins): the writer talks about his father Claud Cockburn whose novel the film was adapted from

Atomic Achievement (1956, 19 mins): a public information film celebrating the advances of nuclear power in the UK

Stills gallery