I say this movie is good but a bit late because this tale of the progression of Nazism in Germany is very good but the timing awfully late. When the first film debuted, WWII was practically over--whereas films with similar themes, such as "Mortal Storm" came out before the US entered the war--and did a lot to turn public opinion against Nazi Germany. Heck, in 1944 saying the Nazis were bad and repressive wasn't exactly controversial in the United States--as we'd been fighting them for three years!
The film begins in the 1930s. Paul Lukas and his wife and kids (minus the oldest one) are leaving the US and moving back to Germany. They also decide to take their god-daughter (who is Jewish). Once there, Lukas slowly turns from a nice family man to a Nazi-lover. In the process, all sense of right and wrong seems to disappear from him. And, when his beloved god-daughter is in trouble, he refuses to help. At this point, there is a neat twist in the film involving coded messages and revenge. I won't say more, as it would spoil the film. Suffice to say that this twist gives the film a nice and fitting ending.
The acting, mood and story are all quite good and the film worth seeing. While not a great film it is clever and well-written--and a very good propaganda film to galvanize the folks at home in the war effort.
The film begins in the 1930s. Paul Lukas and his wife and kids (minus the oldest one) are leaving the US and moving back to Germany. They also decide to take their god-daughter (who is Jewish). Once there, Lukas slowly turns from a nice family man to a Nazi-lover. In the process, all sense of right and wrong seems to disappear from him. And, when his beloved god-daughter is in trouble, he refuses to help. At this point, there is a neat twist in the film involving coded messages and revenge. I won't say more, as it would spoil the film. Suffice to say that this twist gives the film a nice and fitting ending.
The acting, mood and story are all quite good and the film worth seeing. While not a great film it is clever and well-written--and a very good propaganda film to galvanize the folks at home in the war effort.