Outstanding film (spoilers)

I was fortunate enough to watch, for the first time, One of Our Aircraft is Missing on the eve of Remembrance Sunday this year. This particular film was a powerful propaganda piece that paid testament to the Netherlands people under Nazi occupation whilst their government was exiled to London. It took the kernel of a true story to create a superb fictional story. I gave that film 10/10.

Everything I've written above applies to Hangmen Also Die except that it's about the Czechoslovakian people. I give the same rating of 10/10 to this masterful propaganda piece with its brilliant plot twist. There is so much one could write about the film but much has been written already in the reviews posted by others for this film. What I would like to write out are the words spoken by Professor Novotny (Walter Brennan - loved him in this) to his daughter Mascha for his son when he believes he is about to be executed:

What I want to say to you my son is meant for you as a grown man. When our mighty invaders have been thrown out of our land for quite some time. I hope you will be living in a free land where the people are truly governed by themselves and for themselves. Those will be great days. To live in the land where all the men, women and children have enough food to eat and time to read and think. Talk things over with one another for their own good. When such days do come don't forget that freedom is not a thing one possesses like a hat or a piece of candy. The real thing is fighting for freedom. And you might remember me. Not because I've been your father but because I also died in this great fight.

Such poignant and inspirational words. It makes me tearful just typing these lines out.

There was mention in the film, quite early on, from one of the underground members to Dr Svoboda about the need for men of courage and fighting spirit after the Germans were driven out of Czechoslovakia. Prophetic words given the country's uneasy relationship with the Russians post-war that ended with latter invading and occupying Czechoslovakia in the late 60's.

One masterful touch I want to mention also was the shot following Gruber's death. All we see are his feet dangling over the side of the table. I thought that was a wonderful way to demean Nazi power by illustrating his diminutive height and showing his vulnerability. The way in which the two doctors move slowly towards him like a hunting pack and then Horak's shadow appears at the doors and we know then that Gruber - the intelligent and wily Nazi - is doomed. Wow!

Did you say my eyes or thighs are beautiful?