Under the Volcano (1984): cast, story & where to watch
1984 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1984, Under the Volcano is a drama film directed by John Huston, running about 112 minutes. “One cannot live without love.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Against a background of war breaking out in Europe and the Mexican fiesta Day of Death, we are taken through one day in the life of Geoffrey Firmin, a British consul living in alcoholic disrepair and obscurity in a small southern Mexican town in 1939. The consul's self-destructive behaviour, perhaps a metaphor for a menaced civilization, is a source of perplexity and sadness to his nomadic, idealistic half-brother, Hugh, and his ex-wife, Yvonne, who has returned with hopes of healing Geoffrey and their broken marriage.
Who’s in it. Under the Volcano stars Albert Finney as Geoffrey Firmin, Jacqueline Bisset as Yvonne Firmin, Anthony Andrews as Hugh Firmin and Ignacio López Tarso as Dr. Vigil, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, Under the Volcano has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel and HBO Max. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Under the Volcano page.
If you liked it. Fans of Under the Volcano tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Under the Volcano (1984)?
- In US, Under the Volcano is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Under the Volcano worth watching?
- Under the Volcano holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Under the Volcano?
- Under the Volcano stars Albert Finney, Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Andrews, Ignacio López Tarso and Katy Jurado.
- When was Under the Volcano released?
- Under the Volcano was released in 1984, with a runtime of about 112 minutes.