The few attempts at humor in this post World War II drama about the battle over creating a Palestine nation as opposed to a strictly Hebrew one don't even get a smirk from me as they seemed out of place and forced. There's also not much time for character development so the leading parts come off as written but not expanded into breathing, living people. They basically are who they are and no excuses or reasoning is given for their actions. Dana Andrews of course is always watchable, but his character is presented in a very cold, self-serving light, even though his responsibilities have him doing something necessary for humanity. Marta Toren seems to be the obligatory female, strong and determined, but given nothing really meaty to do.
Even though he has a rather small part, Jeff Chandler had the most possibilities as one of the most memorable refugees, and it's obvious that he has great stardom possibilities. The British character actors playing the heavies aren't one dimensional evil, but it's rather surprising to see one of the great allies of the war doing things that the Third Reich had tried but failed to do, if not to the extent of the Germans.
Hayden Rorke, who would later become a household face on TV with "I Dream of Jeannie", is far from the befuddled doctor, and plays a rather cold character. So it is not a easy film to watch because it's not necessarily an easy subject to write about and get fully satisfying. Easy to see though why there were controversies about this film in England at the time. The sets are realistic in the sense that they show the coldness of the surrounding area and the lifestyles that the refugees have to deal with when they reach the mainland. This is the type of film then which will be more interesting to those interested in the subject, but as a post-war drama, isn't easy to like. All it does is show that even fighters for freedom can sometimes not always be on the side for freedom for everyone which makes it ultimately depressing.
Even though he has a rather small part, Jeff Chandler had the most possibilities as one of the most memorable refugees, and it's obvious that he has great stardom possibilities. The British character actors playing the heavies aren't one dimensional evil, but it's rather surprising to see one of the great allies of the war doing things that the Third Reich had tried but failed to do, if not to the extent of the Germans.
Hayden Rorke, who would later become a household face on TV with "I Dream of Jeannie", is far from the befuddled doctor, and plays a rather cold character. So it is not a easy film to watch because it's not necessarily an easy subject to write about and get fully satisfying. Easy to see though why there were controversies about this film in England at the time. The sets are realistic in the sense that they show the coldness of the surrounding area and the lifestyles that the refugees have to deal with when they reach the mainland. This is the type of film then which will be more interesting to those interested in the subject, but as a post-war drama, isn't easy to like. All it does is show that even fighters for freedom can sometimes not always be on the side for freedom for everyone which makes it ultimately depressing.