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      The World, the Flesh and the Devil

      Released May 20, 1959 1h 35m Sci-Fi List
      Reviews 62% Fewer than 50 Ratings Audience Score A man (Harry Belafonte), a woman (Inger Stevens) and a bigot (Mel Ferrer) roam the city of New York, deserted after a nuclear war. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Apr 18 Buy Now

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      Audience Reviews

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      Dave S In the aftermath of a nuclear war, Ralph (Harry Belafonte) and Sarah (Inger Stevens) come to the realization that they may be the only survivors of the disaster. The World, the Flesh and the Devil, despite its wordy title, is a fairly decent post-apocalypse drama as the two protagonists struggle to come to terms with their situation in an eerily silent New York. Does it have some issues? Yup. There are a ton of plot holes and leaps of logic, the race issue feels unnecessary in light of the apocalyptic circumstances (they actually live in different apartments), and the introduction of a third character towards the end turns it into a bit of a soap opera at times. On the bright side, the two leads do a good job, Belafonte gets to sing a couple of songs, and the visuals are often downright chilling. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/07/23 Full Review cynthia m The screenplay writer sleep walked through the penning of this masterpiece. The entire population of New York City disappears into space, not even one slumped over corpse?! Only one car for blocks, head on into a street sign? Flesh incinerated, but newspapers blowing around, carefree, not even singed at the edges. For a dystopian tale, it's actually ridiculously funny in it's epic failure. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Babu Z I think everyone on seeing films like this, wonder what they would do. I love Belfonte in this. He tries to stay positive. You would have to. It makes you think on everyday Interactions, things you would miss. Everyone knows true happiness is only true when you have someone to share it with. I like the racial issues brought up. You begin to see its only skin. We are the same. Just different in how we see and look at life. But that makes it beautiful and exciting, the differences. You learn from Others. The ending was great. Missed it growing up, but I love it and enjoy it now. A lot of wisdom, and different outlooks people have. If we could just get past the skin. We are the same. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review william k Unusual and imaginative doomsday film slowly turns its story into a mediocre melodrama, but the scenes of deserted New York City are absolutely spectacular. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Jon N If you've seen 1985's The Quiet Earth, this is the film that it was a remake of. The two films are pretty similar, except that this one features a racial barrier that comes between the first man and woman that was a commentary on the taboos of the late 50s. This must've been a pretty progressive movie for 1959, since it stars a black actor as the main, sympathetic character and encourages us to want to see him and the white woman fall in love, or, at least, asks "why not?" Unlike a lot of "end of the world" films that can be depressing, this is one that seems positive and hopeful. I felt good after having watched it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/17/20 Full Review s r Something different. Thanks TCM! Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The first two acts are eerie and intriguing, but the picture loses its focus -- and its way -- with the introduction of the third character. Rated: 2.5/4 Dec 9, 2019 Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Something of an understated masterpiece... Jun 15, 2013 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews According to this film racism is a bigger problem than even nuclear warfare. Rated: C May 23, 2006 Full Review Martin Scribbs Low IQ Canadian Belafonte is magic in his loneliness. Jun 26, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis A man (Harry Belafonte), a woman (Inger Stevens) and a bigot (Mel Ferrer) roam the city of New York, deserted after a nuclear war.
      Director
      Ranald MacDougall
      Producer
      Sol C. Siegel
      Screenwriter
      Ranald MacDougall
      Distributor
      Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
      Production Co
      Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
      Genre
      Sci-Fi
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      May 20, 1959, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 1, 2010
      Runtime
      1h 35m
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