49th Parallel

Michael H. CLAES

Canadian tourism v.s. nazi propaganda. Edited by David Lean (Dr Zhivago). With Laurence OLIVIER, 37 years before Boys from Brazil & Marathon Man, OLIVIER specialist of dreadful accents: Canadian French, Yddish or German. === Montage, David LEAN (Dr Jivago). Avec Laurence OLIVIER, 37 ans avant Boys from Brazil ou Marathon Man. OLIVIER, spécialiste des accents à couper au couteau: Français canadien, Yddish ou Allemand.

Ehsan Khoshbakht

The most striking moment in this masterpiece was Nazis' meeting with the farmers. Only a master like Powell could show us that fascism is only a concept based on various issues like money, power and public mania. And how fragile is this outward order and discipline! how stupid and savage!

Dave

Yes it is war-time propaganda, but it is also just great storytelling as only The Archers could do. I rate this one even higher than most P&P fans and consider it among their finest.

Ethan

This is an interesting chase film from the magical team of Powell and Pressburger that offers up some good anti-Nazi propaganda in a part of the world where we don't usually see a WWII movie take place. Definitely a riveting piece of cinema even if it is a product of its time.

DrFirestone

I appreciate this film's historical value, it's definitely a statement of its time. However, taking into consideration my overall experience, unfortunately I have to admit that this involves a high dose of propaganda and a story: dirty, sadistic, English speaking, Nazi swines vs content, brave and free democratic society. Guess who wins.

Renton47

I liked the way this piece of acknowledged propaganda defies many of the characteristics we expect from a film of its ilk. Even today we are less likely to see a humanisation of "the other" in media or politics as sympathetic as this one. We follow the nazis for the course of the film and they are impressively divided on their reasons for following the reich. A skillful way of showing Canadian values in contrast.

Algitya

Like 'One of our aircraft is missing' in reverse , This anti-Nazi triumphant tale satisfy them who seek to get astounded by (perhaps) the greatest ensemble ever happen. ( Olivier - Howard - Massey both against the silly-vicious Nazi )

Tibulle85

Réalisé en 1941, il est logique qu'un film de ce genre véhicule des messages de propagande. Il n'est cependant pas impossible de le faire avec finesse et nuances (cf. certains films de F. Lang de la période). Ici, après une 1ere partie assez palpitante, le film s'enfonce malheureusement (comme un sous-marin torpillé) dans un patriotisme naïf et la caricature (le chef nazi peu crédible, car totalement outrancier...)