Islands in the Stream *** (1977, George C Scott, David Hemmings, Gilbert Roland, Susan Tyrrell, Claire Bloom, Richard Evans, Hart Bochner, Julius Harris, Brad Savage) – Classic Movie Review 11,245

Director Franklin J Schaffner’s 1977 drama Islands in the Stream is based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway, which was posthumously released in 1970, and stars George C Scott, David Hemmings and Gilbert Roland.

George C Scott’s gruff voice and sturdy physique make him a natural for an Ernest Hemingway autobiographical role as Thomas Hudson, a twice divorced ex-patriate American sculptor reviewing his life and times with his three sons in the Bahamas.

Tom is expecting a visit for the summer by his three sons, whom he has not seen in four years: 19-year old Tommy (Hart Bochner) from his first marriage to Audrey (Claire Bloom), 14-year old Davey (Michael-James Wixted) and 10-year old Andy (Brad Savage) from his second marriage.

Scott and his director Franklin J Schaffner, with whom he worked on Patton, give this drama a stronger atmosphere than most of Hollywood’s stabs at the author.

The cast, good production and Fred J Koenekamp’s Oscar-nominated cinematography are the main assets of a film that eventually runs aground in its talky script. It remains a pretty good showcase for Scott’s talents, though.

Also in the cast are Susan Tyrrell, Claire Bloom, Richard Evans, Hart Bochner, Julius Harris, Brad Savage, Michael-James Wixsted, Hildy Brooks, Jessica Rains, Walter Friedel, and Charles Lampkin.

Islands in the Stream is directed by Franklin J Schaffner, runs 104 minutes, is made by Paramount and Zeeuwse Maatschappij NV, is released by Paramount Pictures (1977) (US) and Cinema International Corporation (1977) (UK), is written by Denne Bart Petitclerc, based on the Ernest Hemingway novel, is shot by Fred J Koenekamp, is produced by Peter Bart and Max Palevsky, is scored by Jerry Goldsmith and is designed by William J Creber.

It is shot at Kaua’i, Hawaii, US, standing in for the film’s setting in the British-controlled Bahamas in 1940.

The rough but seemingly finished novel Islands in the Stream (1970), written between 1950 and 1951, was found by Mary Hemingway among 332 works Hemingway left behind at his death by suicide on 2 July 1961, aged 61. Like Thomas Hudson, Ernest Hemingway had three sons.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,245

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