DVD Corner

Strange Cargo Blu-ray Review

“Strange Cargo” is an unusual picture.

Based on Richard Sale’s novel “Not Too Narrow, Not Too Deep,” 1940’s “Strange Cargo” takes place at the French Guiana penal colony where the grizzled André Verne is currently serving time. Verne is a bit of a scoundrel (and a thief) who is constantly trying to escape despite not having much time left on his sentence. Verne encounters the rather spunky Julie while on work duty and is smitten with her. Through a series of circumstances, Julie winds up being kicked out of French Guiana and is trying to find a way off the island. She lands in trouble, but finds hope when she encounters Verne yet again. You see, Verne and a group of prisoners (including his enemy Moll and a mysterious stranger known as Cambreau who literally walked into the camp) have plotted an escape and are on the run. Of course, they have to try and survive the harsh conditions which include a grueling jungle and a treacherous time at sea. Who will survive? Can the prisoners trust one another or will they double cross each other? Will Verne and Julie become an item? Just who is Cambreau? Tune in to see.

From the cover you’d think “Strange Cargo” was an old fashioned romantic film, but it really isn’t. It’s also often billed as a melodrama, but even that sells it short. Truth be told, director Frank Borzage’s skillfully directed film isn’t easily categorized. It’s a mish-mash of genres (including prison break film) with a dose of heavy handed religious allegories. It’s a story about faith, survival, trust, redemption, and sacrifice. Does it entirely succeed in what it sets out to do? Not exactly. The film isn’t remotely subtle and suffers from an overabundance of ideas. It often feels like multiple scripts were stitched together despite the fact that it all comes together in the end. With that said, “Strange Cargo” is nothing if not an unusual picture for the time period and it’s certainly a watchable Crawford-Gable picture (their last to be exact). It deserves credit for its ambitions and the fact that it has something to say.

Speaking of Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, the two turn in noteworthy performances here. Gable’s tough guy Verne is an interesting flawed character. You know he has a heart somewhere despite his rough exterior. Joan Crawford also impresses as Julie although you wish writer Lawrence Hazard gave her a bit more depth. Peter Lorre is Peter Lorre in his small role as a shady man known simply as Pig. Ian Hunter takes over the movie as the kindly stranger Cambreau (but we all know what he really is).

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p. How does it look? The B&W film gets a predictably quality restoration on this Warner Archive Blu-ray release.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Expect a nice clean 2.0 track.

Extras:
* Original theatrical trailer
* A cartoon titled “Home On The Range”
* An “Our Gang” short titled “Goin’ Fishin”
* “Gable And Crawford”- An archival featurette about the on screen duo’s chemistry and the 8 films they worked on together.

July 12, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Strange Cargo Blu-ray Review, Warner Archive