"The Seventh Cross" is a film I have a watched a number of times, because it stars one of my very favorite actors -- Spencer Tracy Supporting actors include Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy -- real man and wife, and this was their first film together. Cronyn was an Academy Award nominee for his performance here. The supporting actor of note was Ray Collins (of later "Perry Mason" fame), one of the Concentration Camp victims here, who doesn't survive, but posthumously continues to narrate the film.
This was one of Fred Zinnemann's early directorial efforts, long before "High Noon". Interestingly, it was one of the earliest films to deal with the topic of Nazi concentration camps.
The film begins with a rather tortuous and overbearing opening score. We learn that 7 POWs have escaped from a concentration camp. They represent many factions of German society -- a writer, a circus performer, a school teacher, a farmer, a Jewish grocery clerk, and 2 who appear to be political activists (Tracy and Collins). The first few minutes of the film belong to Collins, as he is the first to be hunted down, tortured, and hung on a cross to die. Very little dialog (other than his narration), but this is probably the most dramatic of all of Collins' many screen performances. The Nazi commandant vows to find each escapee and hang each on another of the 7 crosses (hence the title).
The focus then shifts to Tracy, who also has, perhaps, the least dialog of any of his screen roles...because he is a man alone. Tracy does an admirable job of conveying his terror through facial expressions. We follow his journey to his home town of Mainz where surely his former girl friend will help him...but of course, she doesn't and even threatens to report him. The scene where Tracy watches as another escapee is chased along the rooftops is particularly effective...as the escapee elects to commit suicide, rather than be captured. Although he feels totally alone, here and there people give him a little help, and unbeknownst to him a small group of old friends are plotting to help him...if they can find him or he can find them. But, everyone is suspicious of almost everyone else. Who will choose loyalty to a friend over loyalty to the Third Reich? Tracy's character does escape Germany and he regains his faith in humanity...although the ending is quite abrupt.
Among the supporting actors of note were Signe Hasso (good and simple performance), Hume Cronyn (as a loyal friend; good performance); Jessica Tandy (as Cronyn's wife, also a good performance); Agnes Moorehead (in an odd role for her); and Herbert Rudley (as a loyal friend, played well).
This is a very well done movie, and many will want it on their DVD shelf. But it is a depressing film despite the upbeat ending.
This was one of Fred Zinnemann's early directorial efforts, long before "High Noon". Interestingly, it was one of the earliest films to deal with the topic of Nazi concentration camps.
The film begins with a rather tortuous and overbearing opening score. We learn that 7 POWs have escaped from a concentration camp. They represent many factions of German society -- a writer, a circus performer, a school teacher, a farmer, a Jewish grocery clerk, and 2 who appear to be political activists (Tracy and Collins). The first few minutes of the film belong to Collins, as he is the first to be hunted down, tortured, and hung on a cross to die. Very little dialog (other than his narration), but this is probably the most dramatic of all of Collins' many screen performances. The Nazi commandant vows to find each escapee and hang each on another of the 7 crosses (hence the title).
The focus then shifts to Tracy, who also has, perhaps, the least dialog of any of his screen roles...because he is a man alone. Tracy does an admirable job of conveying his terror through facial expressions. We follow his journey to his home town of Mainz where surely his former girl friend will help him...but of course, she doesn't and even threatens to report him. The scene where Tracy watches as another escapee is chased along the rooftops is particularly effective...as the escapee elects to commit suicide, rather than be captured. Although he feels totally alone, here and there people give him a little help, and unbeknownst to him a small group of old friends are plotting to help him...if they can find him or he can find them. But, everyone is suspicious of almost everyone else. Who will choose loyalty to a friend over loyalty to the Third Reich? Tracy's character does escape Germany and he regains his faith in humanity...although the ending is quite abrupt.
Among the supporting actors of note were Signe Hasso (good and simple performance), Hume Cronyn (as a loyal friend; good performance); Jessica Tandy (as Cronyn's wife, also a good performance); Agnes Moorehead (in an odd role for her); and Herbert Rudley (as a loyal friend, played well).
This is a very well done movie, and many will want it on their DVD shelf. But it is a depressing film despite the upbeat ending.