Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison

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Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison

1957,

1h 47m,

Drama/

Action/

Adventure/

War

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Watchlist

85%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

A Roman Catholic nun and a hard-bitten US Marine are stranded together on a Japanese-occupied island in the South Pacific during World War II. Under constant threat of discovery by a ruthless enemy, they hide in a cave and forage for food together. Their forced companionship and the struggle for survival forge a powerful emotional bond between them.

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Mar 2, 2004

A-

As with Huston's The African Queen, there is conflict mixed with romantic tension… Here, though, the complicating factor is not fastidiousness, but vocation.

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Ray Oviatt

Toledo Blade

Jun 15, 2026

John Huston has never been a director to turn out a conventional movie. In Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison... he continues to avoid the beaten path and thus to reveal his skill and artistry in handling an unorthodox story.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 19, 2024

3/4

This box office hit is so much the minimalist two-character piece that it’s a wonder no enterprising Broadway producer has ever tried to turn it into a stage hit.

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Zita Short

InSession Film

Feb 10, 2023

Kerr makes diffidence exciting as her character brushes up against some troubling emotions. She is held back by a story that doesn’t let her do much but in many ways, this film serves as a testament to her abilities...

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

May 22, 2021

7/10

I find very enjoyable its mixture of war, survival and impossible romance. [Full review in Spanish]

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Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

Nov 4, 2020

2.5/5

John Huston's Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison falls short of the strikingly similar odd couple entertainment that came just before it in The African Queen

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Harry S

Mar 22, 2018

if you like robert mitchum you will love this. a great plot and great acting.

Albus G

Feb 19, 2018

Great performances. I thought it was going to be too predictable but changed my mind after 20 minutes.

Ron W

Jul 9, 2017

I really enjoyed this movie. The acting, scenery, the story. I also liked that unlike todays movies, the characters were noble, and classy. If this was made today, they would be having sex on the beach in a matter of days.

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Rey S

Mar 8, 2017

"Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison" is an intriguing old-style war drama and character study that sadly isn't as well known as John Huston's other film "The African Queen," despite the two's similarities.

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Rey R

Jan 3, 2017

Heaven Knows Mr. Allison is an incredible film. It is about a marine and a nun form an unlikely friendship. Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr give amazing performances. The screenplay is well written. John Huston did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the adventure and drama. Heaven Knows Mr. Allison is a must see.

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John Huston

Director

Deborah Kerr

Sister Angela

Robert Mitchum

Cpl. Allison, USMC

John Huston

Screenwriter

John Lee Mahin

Screenwriter

Buddy Adler

Producer

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Synopsis

A Roman Catholic nun and a hard-bitten US Marine are stranded together on a Japanese-occupied island in the South Pacific during World War II. Under constant threat of discovery by a ruthless enemy, they hide in a cave and forage for food together. Their forced companionship and the struggle for survival forge a powerful emotional bond between them.

Director: John Huston
Producer: Buddy Adler, Eugene Frenke
Screenwriter: John Huston, John Lee Mahin
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: Drama, Action, Adventure, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2011
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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