Just stumbled upon this movie tonight. Quite a gem.
Lots of emotions involved in this movie, considering it is a son trying to save his mother from an undeserved fate. Nice acting by Taylor and Shearer, and Veidt does well as the ominous and ever-present antagonist.
What I really liked about this movie is the timing of its making. It is before average American's really knew about Hitler and Nazi's, and well before Pearl Harbor, and America's entry into the war.
Yet, it shows in a magnificently subdued way the political climate of the time, without ever mentioning Germany or Nazi's.
Keep in mind, if you watch this movie, that the actors, directors, and producers knew nothing of the horrors the Nazi's would ultimately do.
Seeing movies like this one makes me wonder what people were thinking at the time. Could the holocaust have been prevented? Is there something going on right now that we should take notice of, and maybe prevent? In summary, I say watch this movie, and try and put yourself in 1938 while watching. The movie has to be viewed from that perspective to fully appreciate it.
Lots of emotions involved in this movie, considering it is a son trying to save his mother from an undeserved fate. Nice acting by Taylor and Shearer, and Veidt does well as the ominous and ever-present antagonist.
What I really liked about this movie is the timing of its making. It is before average American's really knew about Hitler and Nazi's, and well before Pearl Harbor, and America's entry into the war.
Yet, it shows in a magnificently subdued way the political climate of the time, without ever mentioning Germany or Nazi's.
Keep in mind, if you watch this movie, that the actors, directors, and producers knew nothing of the horrors the Nazi's would ultimately do.
Seeing movies like this one makes me wonder what people were thinking at the time. Could the holocaust have been prevented? Is there something going on right now that we should take notice of, and maybe prevent? In summary, I say watch this movie, and try and put yourself in 1938 while watching. The movie has to be viewed from that perspective to fully appreciate it.