A group of international crooks are headed to East Africa in hope of claiming uranium-rich land. Joining them are the Dannreuthers, an innocent-looking English couple. However, the group strands in Italy whilst their boat is repaired. With scheming and ruses aplenty, nothing is quite as it seems.

John Huston reunited with Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre for this semi-improvised adventure comedy. Colliding the hubris of noir with the juvenile antics of the caper film for a parodic study in male ego, Beat the Devil is a postmodern spin on The Maltese Falcon, light years ahead of its time.