If you loved
To Have and Have Not
Howard Hawks · Film · 1945
If you loved To Have and Have Not, you likely crave stories where personal moral codes collide with high-stakes international conflict.
Books on the same thread
The Far Side of the World
Patrick O'Brian · Book · 1994
Explores: Naval Warfare, Friendship, Exploration.
Much like the captain in To Have and Have Not, you will appreciate how this naval adventure grounds the vast, sweeping chaos of war within a singular, focused maritime journey.
The Revolt of Mamie Stover
William Bradford Huie · Book · 1951
Shares a thread with To Have and Have Not: Moral Ambiguity.
This narrative mirrors the gritty, opportunistic atmosphere of To Have and Have Not by examining how individuals navigate the moral ambiguity and social upheaval found in wartime tropical settings.
The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway · Book · 1952
Explores: Man vs. Nature, Perseverance, Aging.
The stoic, reluctant hero archetype that defined To Have and Have Not is perfectly captured here, emphasizing the internal resilience required when facing an indifferent and often overwhelming natural world.
Catch-22
Joseph Heller · Book · 1961
Explores: Bureaucratic absurdity, Existential dread, The insanity of war.
While To Have and Have Not treats the war with a noir sensibility, this story exposes the same conflict through a lens of biting, existential absurdity and institutional frustration.
Series on the same thread
'Allo 'Allo!
David Croft · Series · 1984
Explores: World War II, French Resistance, Mistaken Identity.
This comedy reimagines the tense French Resistance subplot from To Have and Have Not, trading the original film's dangerous stakes for a series of chaotic, farcical, and witty misadventures.
Hawaii Five-0
Roberto Orci · Series · 2010
Explores: Task Force, Family Loyalty, Justice.
The sharp, island-based justice dynamic presented here echoes the territorial grit of To Have and Have Not, focusing on a dedicated team operating within a complex and isolated landscape.
Descendants of the Sun
Baek Sang-Hoon · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with To Have and Have Not: Forbidden Love.
You will recognize the central tension of To Have and Have Not in this romance, which forces its protagonists to reconcile their personal feelings with the demands of military duty.
Band of Brothers
Series · 2001
Explores: brotherhood, war trauma, leadership.
If you were drawn to the camaraderie found in To Have and Have Not, this series provides a deeper, more harrowing look at the bonds formed during wartime service.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.
The blend of mystery and historical context found in To Have and Have Not is present here, offering you a curated look at the hidden, human stories behind major events.
Acquired
Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal · Podcast · 2026
Explores: entrepreneurial growth, market disruption, strategic decision-making.
Just as To Have and Have Not dissects the maneuvering of people under pressure, this podcast explores the strategic, high-stakes decisions that define the history of global business powerhouses.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is To Have and Have Not set during the war?
Yes, To Have and Have Not is set during the Second World War. The plot follows a charter boat skipper in Martinique who becomes involved with French resistance operatives working against the Axis powers during the conflict.
Does To Have and Have Not take place on an island?
Yes, the events of To Have and Have Not occur in Martinique. The story centers on a charter boat skipper navigating the political tensions and underground resistance activities present on the island during the war.
What is the primary conflict in To Have and Have Not?
The primary conflict in To Have and Have Not involves a charter boat skipper who gets caught up with French resistance operatives. He must navigate his role in the underground movement while operating his boat in Martinique during the global instability of World War II.
Who directed To Have and Have Not?
To Have and Have Not was directed by Howard Hawks. Released in 1945, the film focuses on a boat skipper in Martinique who becomes entangled with French resistance fighters during the ongoing events of World War II.