Strange Cargo is a 1940 American romantic drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Clark Gable and Joan Crawford in a story about a group of fugitive prisoners from a French penal colony.

The supporting cast includes Ian Hunter, Paul Lukas, Eduardo Ciannelli, and Peter Lorre.

Julie is a cynical working girl in a café in a town near Devil's Island (French Guiana) penal colony.

While on a work shift just after being released from 30 days in solitary confinement, prisoner André Verne sees her on the wharf.

Verne's absence is not noticed because a man in a prisoner’s uniform joins the returning work crew, making the count correct.

Verne goes to Julie's room but she wants none of him and threatens to turn him in rather than risk being thrown off the island if found consorting with a prisoner.

She doesn’t get the chance because M'sieu Pig has already reported Verne, who is found in Julie's room and returned to prison.

Prison warden Grideau is mystified by the fact that the work gang count was correct despite Verne's absence.

Moll has masterminded a jailbreak and takes Cambreau, Telez, Hessler, a serial killer who poisons his wives, Flaubert, and Dufond with him.

Her arm is raised to stab him to death when Cambreau's voice is heard saying, “Not that way, Julie.” When she goes to look there is no one, but the sack is gone and there is a wad of money, enough for a passage to the mainland.

Then during a long, deadly, calm, Julie shares her ugly past, her new hopes, her love for Verne and her fears for him.

Once ashore, they set the boat adrift with Moll's body in it, hoping the authorities will assume that there were no survivors of the prison break.

Once outside, Hessler pauses and looks back, struggling against belief and then, grimacing demonically, slinks off into the night as a storm begins.

Frank Borzage has given it expert directorial attention...Clark Gable fits his role admirably...The acting is high-grade with Joan Crawford giving her best performance to date."

Variety commented: "Although the picture has its many deficiencies, the Crawford characterization will give studio execs idea of proper casting of her talents for the future.

Direction by Frank Borzage fails to hit the dramatic punches...He has not clearly defined the spiritual redemption angle, which also adds to the audience confusion.

"[4] Leonard Maltin describes Strange Cargo as an “Intriguing allegorical film...Not for all tastes, but there are fine, realistic performances and [a] flavorful Franz Waxman score.

The Catholic Legion of Decency gave it a "condemned" rating for presenting "a naturalistic concept of religion contrary to the teachings of Christ, irreverent use of Scripture, and lustful complications."