It's 1939. Britain and Germany are on the verge of war. Eccentric Cambridge archaeologist Professor Horatio Smith (Leslie Howard) drives off his female students and then recruits his male students to a dig for Aryan culture in the German Alps. In reality, he is rescuing enemies of the state out of the country. All the while, the Gestapo led by General von Graum is trying to find the smuggling ring. He forces Ludmilla Koslowska to spy on the professor by threatening her imprisoned father.
As a British propaganda film, it is quite effective and possibly inspired a real life rescuer. As a film, it's a fine thriller. I was expecting a simpler story when the scarecrow incident happened. They should stay in the Alps. The rescue of the father is highly unlikely. The second half gets too complicated and convoluted. A simpler story would leave a more effective flow. This ends with Leslie Howard talking directly into camera. It's very effective propaganda to grab the moral high ground. In the end, that is all that matters.
As a British propaganda film, it is quite effective and possibly inspired a real life rescuer. As a film, it's a fine thriller. I was expecting a simpler story when the scarecrow incident happened. They should stay in the Alps. The rescue of the father is highly unlikely. The second half gets too complicated and convoluted. A simpler story would leave a more effective flow. This ends with Leslie Howard talking directly into camera. It's very effective propaganda to grab the moral high ground. In the end, that is all that matters.