We Were Strangers
We Were Strangers
NR | 27 April 1949 (USA)
We Were Strangers Trailers

China Valdes joins the Cuban underground after her brother is killed by the chief of the secret police, Ariete. She meets and falls in love with American expatriate Tony Fenner. Tony develops a plan to tunnel under the city's cemetery to a plot owned by a high official, assassinate him, and blow up the whole Cuban hierarchy at the ensuing state funeral. Together with a band of dedicated revolutionaries, they begin digging.

Reviews
Incannerax

What a waste of my time!!!

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Bardlerx

Strictly average movie

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Phonearl

Good start, but then it gets ruined

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Cem Lamb

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

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blackwedge

I just saw the Movie, "We Were Strangers" on Get TV this morning. Loved it. I am sure it will be on re-runs again. My Grandfather was very good friends of Gilbert Roland. My Grandfather looked very similar to Gilbert Roland and when they used to walk the streets in California, they turned heads. I still have a few pictures with my grandfather and Gilbert together. I loved that song, I was humming it all morning long. Hehe. I play guitar and the Uke and going to learn it. I should have recorded the Movie for reference. The shooting scene was classic. All in all they did their part in putting this movie together. Great Acting. Remember the poor cubanos and their plight of corrupt governments. Thx John Huston

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nedeljkodjukic88

Good movie, but the point - there are noble American individuals who spend a lot of their money, time and energy just to liberate people around the world and bring them freedom and justice they dream of - is simply stupid. Unfortunately, many prominent intellectuals like Huston believe(d) in this. But what has ever changed for that people and country, after they managed to 'liberate' them? You think people in Afghanistan, Balkan live better now? That Iraqis and Libyans are happier without Husein and Gaddafi now? Whom Americans enabled to rule before that... There were/are Americans who support battles against foreign regimes (not only with words), but they do it all for their own interest in that country, not cause they're humanitarians. They all end up powerful and very reach after they use naive 'revolutionaries' who give their lives to the 'great cause'. The Godfather II puts it much better.

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st-shot

Made between Key Largo and The Asphalt Jungle John Huston's We Were Strangers is a pre mature anti Batista tract a decade ahead of Castro's rebel overthrow. Similar to both, especially Asphalt, it fails to build in suspense and intensity as its bookends with it's comparatively uninspired mise en scene and poor balance of cause and romance ala For Whom the Bells Toll. Tony Fenner enlists some dissidents in a bomb plot to eliminate a large part of the corrupt ruling government of Cuba epitomized by ruthless Police Investigator Armando Ariete (Pedro Armendiaz) whose keeping an eye on Fenner and accomplice China Valdes (Jennifer Jones). In addition to eluding the authorities they must contend with the internal conflict regarding the moral implications of collateral damage .Clearly the heir apparent to Bogart (never Bogie but with more energy) Garfield does a decent job here as the terse ex-patriot. Jones is surprisingly good displaying a stoic and dignified courage in making the tough call. Armendiaz is chillingly snake like his exit gruesome historical reference.Director Huston however never gets things moving from the outset with scenes lacking the vitality and and passion one would expect from a film about a peoples revolution. Huston's scenes evolve slowly and with no energy, much of it drenched in a formless darkness. Other moments look rushed and unconvincing leading to a far fetched finale that is just as tired and sloppy as the rest of the film. This said We Were Strangers is a well ahead of its time call to arms against the military mob alliance of Cuba after the war; albeit a lifeless one but bearing early witness with dignity.

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wes-connors

Cuban-accented Jennifer Jones (as China Valdes) watches as her 19-year-old brother is shot protesting the island's tyrannical government. Vengeful, she joins the revolutionary underground. Accepted in the resistance, Ms. Jones finds romance with Havana-born John Garfield (as Tony Fenner), who returns from the US to becomes a partner. On her first assignment, Jones re-encounters Pedro Armendariz (as Armando Ariete), who shot her brother. They meet organizer Ramon Novarro (the Chief), who plots government overthrow, with a plan developed by Mr. Garfield. Also in the group is Gilbert Roland (as Guillermo), a "silent" movie star along with Mr. Novarro. "We Were Strangers" is tense and involving at times, but it doesn't always seem authentic.****** We Were Strangers (4/27/39) John Huston ~ Jennifer Jones, John Garfield, Pedro Armendariz, Ramon Novarro

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