Satan Never Sleeps

2h 6m 1962

Brief Synopsis

Read More
A priest (William Holden) arrives at a mission-post in China accompanied by a young native girl who has joined him along the way. His job is to relieve the existing priest (Clifton Webb), who is now too old and weak to continue with the upkeep of the church. However, Communist soldiers arrive at the mission and seize it as a command post. Their leader rapes the native girl and impregnates her, only later to realise that Communism is no good for him. In the end, the foursome flee to the border, but are pursued by Communist forces along the way.

Cast & Crew

Read More

Leo Mccarey

Director

William Holden

Father O'Banion

Clifton Webb

Father Bovard

France Nuyen

Siu Lan

Athene Seyler

Sister Agnes

Martin Benson

Kuznietsky

Film Details

Also Known As
Flight From Terror, The China Story, The Devil Never Sleeps
Genre
Adaptation
Drama
Release Date
Jan 1962
Premiere Information
New York opening: 21 Feb 1962
Production Company
Twentieth Century--Fox Film Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Satan Never Sleeps by Pearl S. Buck (New York, 1962).

Technical Specs

Duration
2h 6m
Sound
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Color
Color (DeLuxe)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Synopsis

In 1949 Catholic priests O'Banion and Bovard are constantly harassed by the Communist People's Party at their remote mission outpost in China. Adding to Father O'Banion's troubles is the mission's cook, Siu Lan, an attractive Chinese girl who makes no secret of her love for him. Under the leadership of Colonel Ho San, the Communists wreck the mission dispensary and desecrate the chapel. Ho San straps O'Banion to a chair and rapes Siu Lan; later, when she gives birth to a son, Ho San displays paternal pride but refuses to stop persecuting the priests. Only after the villagers revolt and his superiors order the killing of all Christians, including his parents, does Ho San become convinced that Communism will never solve China's problems. He decides to smuggle Siu Lan, his son, and the two priests out of the compound, but their journey is halted within a few miles of freedom by a helicopter sent to prevent Ho San's defection. Before he can be restrained, the aged Father Bovard dons Ho San's military cap and coat and drives away in the colonel's car. He dies in a spray of bullets from the helicopter, but his sacrifice enables the others to escape. Later, at mission headquarters in Hong Kong, O'Banion marries Siu Lan and Ho San and baptizes their child.

Director

Leo Mccarey

Director

Cast

William Holden

Father O'Banion

Clifton Webb

Father Bovard

France Nuyen

Siu Lan

Athene Seyler

Sister Agnes

Martin Benson

Kuznietsky

Edith Sharpe

Sister Theresa

Robert Lee

Chung Ren

Weaver Lee

Colonel Ho San

Marie Yang

Ho San's mother

Andy Ho

Ho San's father

Burt Kwouk

Ah Wang

Lin Chen

Sister Mary

Anthony Chinn

Ho San's driver

Crew

Harold Adamson

Composer

Ivor Beddoes

Assistant art Director

Richard Rodney Bennett

Music Composition

Claude Binyon

Screenwriter

John Bramall

Sound Recording

Jack Cardiff

Director addl seq

Bill Cook

Boom Operator

Gerry Elliott

Camera focus

Cecil F. Ford

Associate Producer

George Frost

Makeup Supervisor

Bill Griffiths

Chief hairdresser

Dennis Hall

Assistant Director

Jean Hall

Prod Secretary

John Hoesli

Assistant art Director

Geoffrey Kidd

Boom Operator

Brian Knott

Sound Camera

Edward, (rev.) Macelroy

Technical Advisor

Carl Mannin

1st, 2d & 3d Assistant Director

David Martindale

2nd Assistant Editor

Muir Mathieson

Conductor

Leo Mccarey

Producer

Leo Mccarey

Screenwriter

Leo Mccarey

Company

Leo Mccarey

Composer

Jim Morahan

Associate art Director

Oswald Morris

Director of Photography

Arthur Newman

Wardrobe Supervisor

David Orton

Assistant Director

Sid Palmer

Prod buyer

Robert Penn

Stills

Gordon Pilkington

Film Editor

Eddie Powell

Chinese extras liaison

Fred Pretty

Chief floor Electrician

Bob Rayner

Wardrobe master

Nora Roberts

Casting Director

John Scott

Camera grip

Jack Shampan

Assistant in charge of draughting

Jack Stephens

Set Dresser

Jack Swinburne

Production Manager

Doris Turner

Wardrobe mistress

Jimmy Turrell

Camera focus

Harry Warren

Composer

Tommy Welsh

Props chargehand

Brian West

Camera Operator

Tony West

1st Assistant Editor

Connie Willis

Cont

Juliet Yuen

Chinese dial coach

Film Details

Also Known As
Flight From Terror, The China Story, The Devil Never Sleeps
Genre
Adaptation
Drama
Release Date
Jan 1962
Premiere Information
New York opening: 21 Feb 1962
Production Company
Twentieth Century--Fox Film Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Satan Never Sleeps by Pearl S. Buck (New York, 1962).

Technical Specs

Duration
2h 6m
Sound
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Color
Color (DeLuxe)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

Location scenes filmed in England and Wales. Opened in London in February 1962 as The Devil Never Sleeps; running time: 127 min; cut to 120 min. May also be known as Flight From Terror. The working title of this film is The China Story.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1962

Director Leo McCarey's last film.

CinemaScope

Released in United States 1962

TCM Emails

Sign Up now to stay up to date with all of the latest news from TCM.

©2024 Turner Classic Movies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
©2024 Turner Classic Movies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
By using this site, you agree to our updated Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use