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Under the Volcano

Name: Under the Volcano
Genre: Drama
Released: 1984-06-20
Cast: Albert Finney, Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Andrews, Ignacio López Tarso, Katy Jurado

1984 | 112 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (74% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 52 min.
What might put you off: Rated R: meant for adults.

Against a background of war breaking out in Europe and the Mexican fiesta Day of Death, we are taken through one day in the life of Geoffrey Firmin, a British consul living in alcoholic disrepair and obscurity in a small southern Mexican town in 1939. The consul's self-destructive behaviour, perhaps a metaphor for a menaced civilization, is a source of perplexity and sadness to his nomadic, idealistic half-brother, Hugh, and his ex-wife, Yvonne, who has returned with hopes of healing Geoffrey and their broken marriage.

How it earned its rating

CriticsStrong
74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic
AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars, 2 Golden Globes and 1 Cannes award.
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 38K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by John Huston

Albert FinneyGeoffrey Firmin
Jacqueline BissetYvonne Firmin
Anthony AndrewsHugh Firmin
Ignacio López TarsoDr. Vigil
Katy JuradoSenora Gregoria
James VilliersBrit
Dawson BrayQuincey
Carlos RiquelmeBustamante
Jim McCarthyGringo
José René RuizDwarf