Instant Favorite.

An action-packed slog

How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Somewhat Obscure Pre-WWII Movie, this is Certainly More of a Political Treatment than a War Film. It is a Powerful Story of the Rise of Nazi Germany, circa 1933, and its Devastating Effects on a Family and a Small University Community.There are Striking Scenes that Resonate with the Horror and Profound Effect that the Changing Country and the Rise of its Dictator who in the First Few Years had Brought Germany from its Knees and Near Collapse and Made it into a Thriving and Prosperous Society with Virtually No Unemployment.In this Movie there is a lot of Condensing (for the sake of running time) of Things that Happened Over Years into an Instant Occurrence. But Given that Conceit, it is Fairly Accurate the way it Portrays Peer Pressure, Racial Superiority, Book Burnings, Concentration Camps, Fascism, and Thuggery. The Cast All do Their Part and Become Invisible in Their Respective Roles. if the Movie has a Weakness it is the Religious Overtones that Imply that it is One's Belief in the Almighty that will Save Humanity from such Evil. With the Camera Pointed Skyward into Puffy Clouds with Angelic Choirs and a Narration from a Resounding Deep and Soft Voice from Above.But this Heavy Handed, Faith Based Display is Typical of its Time Period, and those Viewing it Today may Find it a Bit Much. Overall it is a Near Great Movie that is a Classic Message Picture that should be Seen by Anyone Interested in Seeing that the More We Change the More We Stay the Same. This is as Relevant Today as Any Day.

Sincere, moving story about the Nazi takeover in Germany and its affect on one family in particular. The father (Frank Morgan) is sent to a concentration camp. His stepsons become ardent Nazis, as does the man who was supposed to marry his daughter (Margaret Sullavan). This also drives a wedge between the sons and a lifelong friend (James Stewart), who is in love with Sullavan.Beautifully acted with fine performances from all. Stewart and Sullavan are amazing. Robert Young, usually playing good guy parts, here plays a Nazi. Bonita Granville does well, as does Ward Bond in a villainous part. Maria Ouspenskaya is brilliant as usual. But the best kudos would have to go to Frank Morgan for his sensitive, intelligent performance. Possibly the finest of his career. Robert Stack also appears as one of the Nazi stepsons and plays a part in the film's powerful final scene.This is truly a classic in every sense of the word. It's a movie that should be seen by everybody, both for its content as well as its historical value.

Maria Ouspenskaya was outstanding. Her bridal cup performance was excellent, bringing tears to a viewer. She perhaps knew what the outcome could be. Jimmy Stewart toted Margaret Sullavan down that mountain, and I feel that it looked so effortless yet she must have been pretty heavy. At least, we saw this happening, but perhaps stunt people and long shorts have helped us have this illusion. It was good to see Ward Bond and Robert Stack, not to mention Dan Dailey and Robert Young.I was reading where Margaret Sullavan helped kickstart Jimmy Stewart's career, and that is a good thing. Happy Birthday today, Jimmy.

The Roth family lead a quiet life in a small village in the German Alps during the early 1930's. When the Nazi's come to power, the family is divided and Martin Brietner (James Stewart), a family friend is caught up in the turmoil.This is a hard film to find -- I checked in multiple libraries throughout the state of Wisconsin, and every considered buying it. And even then, a good copy is hard to track down. Why? The story is excellent, and it is early James Stewart... this should be a classic, but instead remains almost completely unknown.I want this film to see a resurgence (or maybe just a surge). I want it to get a decent transfer, released on a nice DVD with features, and I want people to have actually heard of it. Few films had the courage to stand up to Hitler before the war, and I doubt any of the few others did so as forcefully as this one did.