As usual an understated British film made during the Second World War. At the time it was conceived and written it was still the height of the war, which unbeknownst to all, still had two more years to go.
It depicts the different ways people resisted the occupiers, often at great cost to themselves and others.
Ralph Richardson (in the RNVR at the time) gives a good performance as van Leyden a Dutch shipyard owner who others, including his wife, believe is a collaborator, all of which adds to the tension of the film.
The rest of the cast give good performances. Others have commentated on the one dimensional performances of the actors portraying Nazi's, either cold, calculating and remorseless or as evil buffoons.
Esmond Knight's portrayal of Nazi officer, van Schiffer has been signalled out for his somewhat comedic portrayal and by some for his facial features. Whilst the acting might be a little over the top, he would have taken direction as to how the character was portrayed. Also it must be appreciated that Esmond Knight (RN) had been gravely injured in 1941 whilst on active service on board HMS Prince of Wales, engaging with the Bismarck at the Battle of the Denmark Strait, (HMS Hood was lost with all but three hands) when he was blinded. He was totally blind at the time of filming and he bore the scars of his injuries. He would only gain some sight years later.
The denouement of the film is not particularly surprising but the build up is still tense.
We should remember not to see the film through the prism of the modern era. This was produced eighty years ago for an audience that had clear ideas about what Nazi's were like and how they expected them to be portrayed.
I have seen the film a couple of times and certainly recommend it others.
It depicts the different ways people resisted the occupiers, often at great cost to themselves and others.
Ralph Richardson (in the RNVR at the time) gives a good performance as van Leyden a Dutch shipyard owner who others, including his wife, believe is a collaborator, all of which adds to the tension of the film.
The rest of the cast give good performances. Others have commentated on the one dimensional performances of the actors portraying Nazi's, either cold, calculating and remorseless or as evil buffoons.
Esmond Knight's portrayal of Nazi officer, van Schiffer has been signalled out for his somewhat comedic portrayal and by some for his facial features. Whilst the acting might be a little over the top, he would have taken direction as to how the character was portrayed. Also it must be appreciated that Esmond Knight (RN) had been gravely injured in 1941 whilst on active service on board HMS Prince of Wales, engaging with the Bismarck at the Battle of the Denmark Strait, (HMS Hood was lost with all but three hands) when he was blinded. He was totally blind at the time of filming and he bore the scars of his injuries. He would only gain some sight years later.
The denouement of the film is not particularly surprising but the build up is still tense.
We should remember not to see the film through the prism of the modern era. This was produced eighty years ago for an audience that had clear ideas about what Nazi's were like and how they expected them to be portrayed.
I have seen the film a couple of times and certainly recommend it others.