I was very impressed with this film after viewing it on the recently released DVD set. The twists and plot are well developed and has good performances by Dick Powell and Walter Slezak. I am surprised what little acclaim this film has received.
What are you gonna do? Kill me? Every body Dies. John Garfield (Body and Soul)
True indeed. Good story line and sincere performances. Interesting to see a time when ideologies and principles could drive a story line and the players.
South American was one of the few places to escape the worst parts of the global conflict and that gets its share of play.
Helps that the German politic an 67 year old woman is out today claiming Poland began WW II by mobilizing its forces 6 months before Germany was forced to invade it in self defense. Some things never change.
If you are going to rewrite history at least don't be so damn absurd.
Take films like this to remind you of what it was all about. Director has an
excellent resume himself.
Anybody know if there's anything behind Powell's weird hairstyle? There's a not-so-thin razor line running from his left temple down to above his left ear. It's almost like a Frankenstein scar. Was that something explained in the film -- courtesy of plane crash or something -- that I didn't catch?
shareHaven't seen anything about the scar online but only searched a bit.
NY Times has short positive review w/ the theater preview clip on left side.
Wikipedia review also goes into some depth about the principals involved
in the project. From preview it does look like Powell was channeling a
Bogart tough guy, noir acting style. Sort of moved and punched like him.
Perhaps the short hair cut was meant to reflect a WW II military do to an
audience familiar with it and expecting a combat pilot look.
Interesting Powell's second go round with this terrific director. In preview
clip most of the shots designed to show Powell's 'better side' Nearly all
close ups favored his right side of face. Those were the days.
Might have flattered the performer but causes a rather repetitive staleness
in the preview clip. Reviewers were quite kind to the film overall.
Rather late to the party...but in the beginning, when he's receiving his back pay, it's briefly explained that it's a war wound he had been hospitalized for; apparently prior to his internment as a POW.
shareI do like this film, but, as has been pointed out before, Powell is a bit lackluster at times in his portrayal. Slezak is excellent, though, as is most of the rest of the cast. And the evilness briefly seen in Adler's role of Jarnac is compelling.
shareEverything I want to comment about this film has already been said in the reviews. I'm relieved that I'm not the only who was confused, and to understand it better requires a second viewing. About two-thirds of the way the film started to drag a bit, but it was well-made with some interesting characters.
shareYes, it's true that the film has some good, interesting characters, as well as the actors/actresses who portray them. At times, it seems that the plot is actually secondary to the characterizations.
shareIt has some interesting characters such as the fat guy who reminded me of Sydney Greenstreet but the film did drag.
Its that man again!!
Pretty good - 7.5
"She let me go."
~White Oleander