This film was produced by the major German film production company UFA in three different language versions.This stars the multi lingual actress Lillian Harvey,playing a Russian ballerina who hides a Finnish activist,Edmond Knight, in part of Finland occupied by the Russians.She is being romances by a Russian officer.They are found together by the officer when he brings a surprise gift.Knight has to leave with the Russian.After a successful performance she is kidnapped by the revolutionaries and interrogated.She had taken a coded message from Knights jacket and given a copy to one of his associates.She is persuaded to leave the villa she is living in which is owned by the Russian officer.The film is then interrupted by scenes of the Finnish mid summer festival.These are brought to an end by sword waving Russian cavalry,who capture many men.Knight is persuaded to attempt the assassination of the Russian officer.This is partly overheard by Harvey.So at the theatre she warns the officer of the danger he is in.He disregards her advice.So he arranges for a platoon of the army to come on stage with rifles and arrest them.Harvey then agrees to go back with the officer if he pardons Knight.Sounds hackneyed well it is.
2 Reviews
About as stimulating as a state funeral.
mark.waltz8 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This German film somehow had versions made in English and in French, and is reminiscent of the Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier Paramount musicals of the early 30's. Sadly, it's like a French pastry stuffed with onion dip, pretty to look at but absolutely lifeless. Lilian Harvey plays a Russian dancer who falls in love with a soldier from Finland (Esmond Knight) which leads her to heartache and tragedy during wartime.
The pacing is slower than the entrance of a Scandanavian spring, interrupted on occasion so Harvey can do a dance or perform in a very stagnant ballet. Static photography and cliched characters, truly a difficult effort to get through, especially since stories like this had already been done, and brilliantly. At least Harvey has an easy to understand voice and photographs nicely, as well as a very funny older female companion. But it's not going to make much of an impression. A field of dandelions is more desirable than what results here.
The pacing is slower than the entrance of a Scandanavian spring, interrupted on occasion so Harvey can do a dance or perform in a very stagnant ballet. Static photography and cliched characters, truly a difficult effort to get through, especially since stories like this had already been done, and brilliantly. At least Harvey has an easy to understand voice and photographs nicely, as well as a very funny older female companion. But it's not going to make much of an impression. A field of dandelions is more desirable than what results here.
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