Taking a look at the latest films to appear on Talking Pictures free online catch-up service, I was intrigued to spot a title involving film maker Michael Powell, but one that he did not direct, which lead to me watching the silver fleet sail pass.
View on the film:
Requesting (and getting) his name removed from the writing credits due to being against the studio diminishing the brutality of the Nazis from his original original story, the screenplay by co-writers/co-directors Vernon Sewell & Gordon Wellesley retains the espionage knife-edge tension aspect prominent in Emeric Pressburger (who despite having his name taken off the script, produced the movie with regular collaborator Michael Powell) works with Powell on Film Noir titles such as Contraband (1940-also reviewed), with van Leyden having to walk a tightrope of carrying out his sly attacks against the Nazis under cover, while also having to shield himself from accusations of the Dutch Resistance that he is a traitor.
Fearing that the Nazis will uncover his plans any moment, Ralph Richardson gives an excellent performance as van Leyden, who Richardson gives a cool under pressure appearance when distracting the Nazi Generals with his under-handed charm, but in fleeting private moments, gives a glimpse to the bag of nerves van Leyden is keeping a tight grip on.
Crossing the lowlands with van Leyden, co-directors Vernon Sewell and Gordon Wellesley are joined by cinematographer Erwin Hillier in placing large obstacles across the lowlands,which come into light from being drenched in shadows with terrific dissolves and match-cuts unveiling the secret messages being spread around, which self-destruct to rapid panning shots round tight corners, as van Leyden prepares to welcome the silver fleet.
View on the film:
Requesting (and getting) his name removed from the writing credits due to being against the studio diminishing the brutality of the Nazis from his original original story, the screenplay by co-writers/co-directors Vernon Sewell & Gordon Wellesley retains the espionage knife-edge tension aspect prominent in Emeric Pressburger (who despite having his name taken off the script, produced the movie with regular collaborator Michael Powell) works with Powell on Film Noir titles such as Contraband (1940-also reviewed), with van Leyden having to walk a tightrope of carrying out his sly attacks against the Nazis under cover, while also having to shield himself from accusations of the Dutch Resistance that he is a traitor.
Fearing that the Nazis will uncover his plans any moment, Ralph Richardson gives an excellent performance as van Leyden, who Richardson gives a cool under pressure appearance when distracting the Nazi Generals with his under-handed charm, but in fleeting private moments, gives a glimpse to the bag of nerves van Leyden is keeping a tight grip on.
Crossing the lowlands with van Leyden, co-directors Vernon Sewell and Gordon Wellesley are joined by cinematographer Erwin Hillier in placing large obstacles across the lowlands,which come into light from being drenched in shadows with terrific dissolves and match-cuts unveiling the secret messages being spread around, which self-destruct to rapid panning shots round tight corners, as van Leyden prepares to welcome the silver fleet.