The Heart of the Matter

Trevor Howard makes the dilemmas facing his character unforgettable. I saw this movie decades ago, and there are scenes - some sensational, some very quiet - that still haunt me. I hope I have the chance to see the movie again - I'd like to share it with my daughter and discuss the theological issues raised with her - and of course, celebrate Howard's marvelous acting.

A fairly good remake of the Graham Greene novel. Though the ending is different from the novel, the tragic theme is prevalent throughout the film. Trevor Howard brings out Scobie's inner torment credibly - as the principled police officer scared of the misery around him. The colonial aspects of the time period are handled well, you can almost feel the heat and humidity and the occasional fevers that rack the body. This combined with good acting, flesh out the Greene novel faithfully. A terrific movie about the machinations of the human conscience, and what it can lead to.