We Were Strangers
Seen it?1949 | 106 min | Drama, Thriller, Adventure, Romance
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Great for anyone who likes their action precise and anyone who loves backroom deals and speeches. Lean and efficient, like its main character. Liked North by Northwest or The Man Who Knew Too Much? This is a good next one. Power and ambition drive every scene.
- The mood
- Tense, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Gives its people room to develop, at 1 hr 46 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1949: an older pace and style.
- Not the one if you want explosions or easy laughs.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
73% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 11K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
North by Northwest
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed hitman thriller.
The Man Who Knew Too Much
Saturday SpecialAnother hitman thriller, and a Saturday Special.
Notorious Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
Casablanca Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
All the King's Men Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed hitman drama that fewer people know today.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by John Huston
- Jennifer JonesChina Valdés
- John GarfieldTony Fenner
- Pedro ArmendárizArmando Ariete
- Gilbert RolandGuillermo Montilla
- Ramon NovarroChief
- Wally CassellMiguel
- David BondRamón Sánchez
- José PérezToto
- Morris AnkrumM. Seymour
- Lelia GoldoniConsuelo Valdés