Some say that "The
Breaking Point" is the best film adaptation of a Hemingway story. That may
not be saying much since most Hemingway-based movies are pretty bad. It was the
featured film on TCM's Noir Alley this morning.
One exception may be Howard Hawks' "To Have and Have Not" (1944). Hawks used William Faulkner as a screenwriter, which was noteworthy given how florid Faulkner's work was in comparison to Hemingway's stoicism.
"The Breaking Point" is also adapted from Hemingway's "To Have and Have Not" novel (1937). It's much more faithful to the book than the original namesake movie. John Garfield plays the Harry Morgan part made famous by Humphrey Bogart in "To Have and Have Not." Garfield said it was his best and favorite role ever. Interestingly, "The Breaking Point" was directed by Michael Curtiz who directed Bogart in "Casablanca" (1942).
"The Breaking Point" is much grittier and qualifies as true film noir. This can't be said of "To Have and Have Not" with Bogart's anti-Nazi heroism coming in follow up to his similar hero turn in "Casablanca." There's no glamorous Lauren Bacall love interest in "The Breaking Point," though Patricia Neal's Leona Charles character makes a valiant effort. And there's certainly no Hoagy Carmichael "Cricket" character to serenade us at the piano which was among my favorite parts of "To Have and Have Not."
To confuse matters further, Warner Brothers made yet another film version of Hemingway's "To Have and Have Not." It was "The Gun Runners" (1958) starring Audie Murphy. I'll think I'll skip that one.
Truth be told, Curtiz' "The Breaking Point" is a better film, though perhaps a less entertaining movie, than Hawks' "To Have and Have Not."
One exception may be Howard Hawks' "To Have and Have Not" (1944). Hawks used William Faulkner as a screenwriter, which was noteworthy given how florid Faulkner's work was in comparison to Hemingway's stoicism.
"The Breaking Point" is also adapted from Hemingway's "To Have and Have Not" novel (1937). It's much more faithful to the book than the original namesake movie. John Garfield plays the Harry Morgan part made famous by Humphrey Bogart in "To Have and Have Not." Garfield said it was his best and favorite role ever. Interestingly, "The Breaking Point" was directed by Michael Curtiz who directed Bogart in "Casablanca" (1942).
"The Breaking Point" is much grittier and qualifies as true film noir. This can't be said of "To Have and Have Not" with Bogart's anti-Nazi heroism coming in follow up to his similar hero turn in "Casablanca." There's no glamorous Lauren Bacall love interest in "The Breaking Point," though Patricia Neal's Leona Charles character makes a valiant effort. And there's certainly no Hoagy Carmichael "Cricket" character to serenade us at the piano which was among my favorite parts of "To Have and Have Not."
To confuse matters further, Warner Brothers made yet another film version of Hemingway's "To Have and Have Not." It was "The Gun Runners" (1958) starring Audie Murphy. I'll think I'll skip that one.
Truth be told, Curtiz' "The Breaking Point" is a better film, though perhaps a less entertaining movie, than Hawks' "To Have and Have Not."
Belgian movie poster image courtesy of IMDB.