What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedTo Have and Have Not
Howard Hawks · Film · 1945
If you loved To Have and Have Not, start with Across the River and Into the Trees (Ernest Hemingway, 1998) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to To Have and Have Not across media.
You were drawn to To Have and Have Not for how it balances high-stakes wartime peril with intimate, character-driven romantic tension.
Books on the same thread
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ernest Hemingway · Book · 2023
Explores: Spanish Civil War, Guerrilla Warfare, Love in Wartime.
Like To Have and Have Not, this novel captures the intersection of dangerous political resistance and intense, fleeting romance, mirroring the moral ambiguity found in Hemingway's original source material.
Across the River and Into the Trees
Ernest Hemingway · Book · 1998
Explores: Mortality, Love in Wartime, Post-War Trauma.
This story echoes the atmospheric melancholy and romantic urgency of To Have and Have Not, focusing on the existential weight of love during the chaotic backdrop of wartime.
The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway · Book · 1952
Explores: Man vs. Nature, Perseverance, Aging.
While lacking the overt romance of To Have and Have Not, the novella captures the same spirit of the reluctant, stoic hero navigating a world defined by struggle.
The Far Side of the World
Patrick O'Brian · Book · 1994
Explores: Naval Warfare, Friendship, Exploration.
Fans of the nautical setting in To Have and Have Not will appreciate this deep dive into sea-faring adventure, survival, and the camaraderie formed under intense external pressure.
Series on the same thread
'Allo 'Allo!
David Croft · Series · 1984
Explores: World War II, French Resistance, Mistaken Identity.
This series takes the French Resistance backdrop of To Have and Have Not and subverts the tension into sharp, black comedy, highlighting the absurdity of wartime occupation.
The World at War
Series · 1973
Explores: World War II, Historical Account, The Holocaust.
This documentary provides the factual, historical context for the resistance movements that served as the dramatic engine for the plot of To Have and Have Not.
Five Came Back
Series · 2017
Explores: Filmmaking, War Experience, Propaganda.
This documentary explores the intersection of Hollywood and the front lines, reflecting the same creative fascination with wartime reality that shaped the production of To Have and Have Not.
The War
Series · 2007
Explores: World War II, Homefront, Personal Accounts.
By focusing on personal accounts of sacrifice, this series grounds the grand scale of the war in human stories, much like the intimacy of To Have and Have Not.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Big Picture
Podcast
Explores: Hollywood, Awards Season, Film Criticism.
This podcast offers the critical analysis necessary to unpack the stylistic choices and legacy of classic films like To Have and Have Not through a modern, conversational lens.
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 narrative focus on obscure historical anecdotes provides a deep, curiosity-driven exploration of the past, matching the historical intrigue that defines the setting of To Have and Have Not.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is To Have and Have Not set during the Second World War?
Yes, To Have and Have Not is set during World War II. The plot follows a charter boat skipper in Martinique who becomes involved with French resistance operatives during the conflict.
Where does the story of To Have and Have Not take place?
The setting for To Have and Have Not is the island of Martinique. The narrative centers on a local charter boat skipper who navigates the political tensions of the region 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 finds himself entangled with underground French resistance operatives. This situation forces him to navigate the dangerous political landscape of Martinique during the Second World War.
Who directed the 1945 film To Have and Have Not?
The 1945 film To Have and Have Not was directed by Howard Hawks. It depicts the experiences of a boat skipper in Martinique as he aids members of the French resistance.