Watch Fire Down Below
- NR
- 1957
- 1 hr 56 min
-
6.0 (1,938)
Fire Down Below is a 1957 adventure movie directed by Robert Parrish and starring Robert Mitchum, Rita Hayworth, and Jack Lemmon. The movie takes place on the Caribbean island of Caribe and centers around two divergent storylines that eventually merge to form a tight plot. The story begins with Tony (Jack Lemmon), a rich and cocky playboy who travels to Caribe to evade his debts and find some excitement. He meets Mike (Robert Mitchum), a tough and cynical American who works as a deep-sea diver and is in Caribe for a job. Tony bets Mike that he can't salvage a ship that he has just sunk, and the two strike up a shaky partnership that leads to several thrilling underwater scenes.
At the same time, the movie introduces a second storyline which involves a widow, Irena (Rita Hayworth), who lives with her father in a secluded villa. She is still mourning the death of her husband and is not interested in letting any man close to her. However, she is disturbed by the sound of dynamite blasts from Mike's underwater work, which are causing tremors on her land. She decides to visit Mike to request that he stop, and this encounter sets off a chain of events that leads to mutual attraction.
Throughout the movie, the drama is propelled by the characters' competing interests, weaknesses, and desires. Tony is shown to be a frivolous and deceitful character, who is always looking for the next opportunity to make a buck. Mike is a hard-edged veteran of the sea who has been hurt by life and has learned to trust no one. Irena is a fragile and lonely woman who is looking for solace after experiencing a deep loss.
As the story progresses, the audience is treated to several breathtaking underwater scenes that showcase the divers' bravery and skill. The movie also features gorgeous shots of the Caribbean island, including palm-lined beaches, dense jungles, and vibrant wildlife.
Overall, Fire Down Below is a thrilling adventure movie that manages to weave together several storylines into a cohesive whole. The acting is solid, with Robert Mitchum in particular giving a convincing portrayal of a grizzled yet sympathetic character. Rita Hayworth is also impressive in her role, conveying the character's pain and vulnerability with understated grace. Jack Lemmon provides the comic relief as Tony, bouncing between being loathsome and likable.
The film also features a haunting score by composer Laurence Rosenthal, with atmospheric themes that perfectly complement the movie's mood and setting. The underwater cinematography by Lamar Boren is also worth mentioning, as it captures the beauty and danger of the ocean with stunning precision.
Though the themes of love, greed, and loss are hardly new to the adventure genre, Fire Down Below imbues them with a fresh sense of life and urgency. The movie's climax is a nail-biting sequence that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
Overall, Fire Down Below is a must-see for fans of classic adventure movies. Its strong cast, thrilling action, and exotic location make for an enjoyable cinematic experience that holds up well even after over six decades.
Fire Down Below is a 1957 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.