In the summer of 1940, world-weary Harry Morgan operates a sport-fishing boat, the Queen Conch, in Fort-de-France, on the French colony of Martinique. The island is under the heavy-handed control of pro-German Vichy France, following the recent fall of France. Harry makes a modest living chartering his boat to tourists, assisted by his blithering friend Eddie, a one-time top mate now reduced to a rummy by alcohol. The island is a tinderbox of dissent, harboring many sympathetic to Free France.
Harry’s current charter client, Johnson, owes him $825. Johnson insists he doesn’t have enough ready money to settle his account but promises to get the funds when the banks open the next day. Back at his hotel home, Harry is approached by its owner, Gérard, known as “Frenchy” to English speakers. Frenchy urges Harry to help the French Resistance by smuggling people onto the island. However, Harry steadfastly refuses, choosing to remain uninvolved in the current political situation.
At the hotel, Harry first sees Marie (“Slim”) Browning, a young American wanderer who has recently arrived from Rio. Seeking to avoid the advances of a drunken Johnson, she volunteers to sing a duet of “Am I Blue” with pianist Cricket and his ensemble in the hotel bar. A keen observer, Harry notices Slim pick Johnson’s pocket and follows her to her room directly across the hall from his own. He confronts her and forces her to hand over the wallet, which contains $1,400 in traveler’s cheques and a plane ticket for early the next morning before the banks open.
Upon returning the wallet to Johnson, Harry demands that he sign the traveler’s cheques to pay him immediately. Just then, a shootout in front of the hotel between police and the Resistance spills over into the bar, resulting in Johnson being killed by a stray bullet. The police take Harry, Slim, and Frenchy for questioning, seizing Johnson’s wallet, Harry’s passport, and his money when he proves combative.
Back at the hotel, Gérard offers to hire the now effectively penniless Harry to transport Resistance members Paul de Bursac and his wife Hélène from a nearby islet to Martinique. Harry reluctantly accepts the job. Meanwhile, a sexually charged romance develops between Harry and Slim, who feels that Harry is starting to fall for her. However, her hopes are shattered when he uses the bulk of the money he earned from transporting the fugitives to buy her a ticket back home to America on the next plane out.
Harry picks up the de Bursacs, but his boat is spotted and fired upon by a navy patrol vessel. De Bursac is wounded, but Harry manages to escape and transfer his passengers to a pre-arranged rowboat. When he returns to the hotel, he finds Slim still there, having chosen to stay with him. The de Bursacs are hidden in the basement of the hotel; at Frenchy’s request, Harry removes the bullet from Paul’s shoulder. He learns that the couple has come to Martinique to help a man escape from the penal colony at Devil’s Island to aid the Free French. De Bursac asks for Harry’s assistance in this operation, but Harry respectfully declines.
The police return to the hotel and reveal that they recognized Harry’s boat the previous night. They also disclose that they have Eddie in custody again, withholding liquor from him to extract details about the smuggling plot. Cornered in his hotel room by the Vichy authorities, Harry turns the tables, killing one officer and holding police captain Renard at gunpoint. He forces Renard to order Eddie’s release and sign harbor passes.
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With Eddie freed, Harry, Slim, and Eddie head for the Queen Conch, intending to meet up with Frenchy and the de Bursacs to free the man from Devil’s Island. The stakes are high, and the tension is palpable as they navigate the dangerous waters of political intrigue and personal sacrifice.
This gripping tale of love, resistance, and survival during a tumultuous time in history is a must-watch. Don’t miss your chance to experience the thrilling story of Harry and Slim. To have and have not watch free today and immerse yourself in this classic film that captures the essence