The Breaking Point (1950)

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(266 ratings)

This second screen version of Ernest Hemingway's To Have and Have Not is closer in spirit to the original than the first version, though it still is far from faithful to its source. John Garfield stars as Harry Morgan, who has metamorphosed from Hemingway's gun-runner to an ex-PT boat captain, now… More This second screen version of Ernest Hemingway's To Have and Have Not is closer in spirit to the original than the first version, though it still is far from faithful to its source. John Garfield stars as Harry Morgan, who has metamorphosed from Hemingway's gun-runner to an ex-PT boat captain, now running a charter boat service in Southern California. Deeply in debt, Morgan agrees to smuggle aliens and later tries to sneak a bunch of gangsters out of the country. By the time he's been given a wake-up call by his conscience, Morgan has caused the death of a close friend. Patricia Neal and Phyllis Thaxter make the most of their limited footage as, respectively Harry Morgan's casual mistress and faithful spouse. Many critics feel that The Breaking Point represents Michael Curtiz' finest directing job--no small praise for a man who helmed such classics as Casablanca and Yankee Doodle Dandy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Michael Curtiz
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Oct 6, 1950 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Clearly the best movie adaptation of a Hemingway novel.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

superior performances in this rough well made film

Cast

            John Garfield as Harry Morgan

            Phyllis Thaxter as Lucy Morgan

            Patricia Neal as Leona Charles

            Juano Hernandez as Wesley Park

            Wallace Ford as Duncan

            Edmon Ryan as Rogers

            Ralph Dumke as Hannagan

            Guy Thomajan as Danny

            William Campbell as Concho

            Sherry Jackson as Amelia

            Donna Jo Boyce as Connie

            Peter Brocco as Macho

            John Alvin as Reporter

            Mary Carroll as Girl

            Spencer Chan as 1st Chinese Cook

            John Doucette as Gotch

            Norman Field as Dock Attendant

            Alex Gerry as Mr. Phillips

            James Griffith as Charlie

            Helen Hatch as Mrs. Cooley

            Len Hendry as Boatswain

            Paul McGuire as Leona's Escort

            David McMahon as Coast Guardsman

            Victor Sen Yung as Mr. Sing

            Glen Turnbull as Taxi Driver

            John Chapin Morgan as Reporter

            Juan Duval as Bartender

            John Close as Deputy

            Bob McLean as Leona's Party

            Beverly Mook as Kid
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