Set in Key West during the Great Depression, "To Have and Have Not" tells the story of Harry Morgan, a fishing boat captain whose struggle to make ends meet leads him to become involved in smuggling. Faced with tough choices and a dangerous underworld, he must navigate the complexities of morality, loyalty, and survival. The novel explores themes of poverty, greed, and the human desire for redemption.
Synopsis: To Have and Have Not
Ernest Hemingway's 1937 novel "To Have and Have Not" follows Harry Morgan, a small-time Florida charter boat captain struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression. Seeking a way to supplement his income, he agrees to transport illegal Chinese immigrants into the United States but soon finds himself entangled in a dangerous plot.
When Morgan's boat is seized by the Coast Guard, he is left desperate for money. Offered a job by wealthy plantation owner and rum-runner Mr. Johnson, he hesitates but ultimately accepts, despite his reservations. As Harry becomes involved in Johnson's criminal world, he witnesses firsthand the moral dilemmas and violence that accompany this illegal trade.
Amidst the turmoil, Harry crosses paths with Marie Browning, a wealthy woman escaping an unhappy marriage. Drawn to her beauty and strength, Harry falls in love and faces difficult choices as he tries to balance his loyalty to Johnson with his growing affection for Marie. However, their love is threatened by the dangers surrounding them and by Harry's own reckless behavior.
As the novel progresses, Harry's moral compass is challenged, and the line between right and wrong blurs. Desperate and disillusioned, he makes a series of fateful decisions that lead to a tragic end for both himself and those around him. "To Have and Have Not" is a powerful and complex exploration of love, loyalty, morality, and the human condition in desperate times.
Movie Info
- Rating: PG
- Genre: Film Noir, Romance, Adventure
- Original Language: English
- Director: Howard Hawks
- Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Walter Brennan, Hoagy Carmichael
- Producer: Howard Hawks
- Writer: Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Jules Furthman
- Release Date: October 19, 1944
- Runtime: 100 minutes
- Distributor: Warner Bros.
- Production Co: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Sound Mix: Monaural
- Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1