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Blackout

Original title: Contraband
  • 19401940
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Contraband (1940)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Romance
Early in World War II, Danish sea captain Andersen, delayed in a British port, tangles with German spies.Early in World War II, Danish sea captain Andersen, delayed in a British port, tangles with German spies.Early in World War II, Danish sea captain Andersen, delayed in a British port, tangles with German spies.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Powell
  • Writers
    • Emeric Pressburger(original story & screenplay)
    • Michael Powell(scenario)
    • Brock Williams(scenario)
  • Stars
    • Conrad Veidt
    • Valerie Hobson
    • Hay Petrie
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Powell
  • Writers
    • Emeric Pressburger(original story & screenplay)
    • Michael Powell(scenario)
    • Brock Williams(scenario)
  • Stars
    • Conrad Veidt
    • Valerie Hobson
    • Hay Petrie
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 24User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

    Contraband (1940)
    Valerie Hobson and Conrad Veidt in Contraband (1940)
    Valerie Hobson and Conrad Veidt in Contraband (1940)
    Valerie Hobson in Contraband (1940)
    Contraband (1940)
    Contraband (1940)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Conrad Veidt
    Conrad Veidt
    • Capt. Andersenas Capt. Andersen
    Valerie Hobson
    Valerie Hobson
    • Mrs. Sorensenas Mrs. Sorensen
    Hay Petrie
    Hay Petrie
    • Axel Skoldas Axel Skold…
    Joss Ambler
    Joss Ambler
    • Lt. Cmdr. Ashton, RNRas Lt. Cmdr. Ashton, RNR
    Raymond Lovell
    • Van Dyneas Van Dyne
    Esmond Knight
    Esmond Knight
    • Mr. Pidgeonas Mr. Pidgeon
    Charles Victor
    Charles Victor
    • Hendrickas Hendrick
    Phoebe Kershaw
    • Miss Langas Miss Lang
    Harold Warrender
    Harold Warrender
    • Lt. Cmdr. Ellis, RNas Lt. Cmdr. Ellis, RN
    John Longden
    John Longden
    • Passport Officeras Passport Officer
    Eric Maturin
    • Passport Officeras Passport Officer
    Paddy Browne
    • Singer in 'Regency'as Singer in 'Regency'
    Henry Wolston
    • First Danish Waiteras First Danish Waiter
    Julian Vedey
    • Second Danish Waiteras Second Danish Waiter
    Sidney Monckton
    • Third Danish Waiteras Third Danish Waiter
    • (as Sydney Moncton)
    Hamilton Keene
    • Fourth Danish Waiteras Fourth Danish Waiter
    • (as Hamilton Keen)
    Leo Genn
    Leo Genn
    • First Brother Grimmas First Brother Grimm
    Stuart Latham
    • Second Brother Grimmas Second Brother Grimm
    • Director
      • Michael Powell
    • Writers
      • Emeric Pressburger(original story & screenplay)
      • Michael Powell(scenario)
      • Brock Williams(scenario)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Michael Powell and the crew went on location to Ramsgate (Eastgate in the film), they sent all their luggage and equipment in cases boldly marked "Contraband". Luckily the local wartime Contraband Controllers saw the funny side and when they arrived at the hotel they found their cases had stamps and stencils all over them saying things like "Explosives", "Examined", "Condemned".
    • Quotes

      Mrs.Sorensen: Did you ever try being married? That can be quite a big adventure.

      Mrs.Sorensen: [sighs] Why do women always say that? Marriage ends adventure.

      Mrs.Sorensen: [copies sigh] Why do men always say that?

      Captain Anderson: [raises glass in agreement] Skol.

      Mrs.Sorensen: [raises glass] Skol.

    • Crazy credits
      "White Negro" caberet designed & executed by Hedley Briggs.
    • Alternate versions
      Eight minutes were cut from Contraband for its U.S. release; some just snips here and there, others more major. The most regrettable loss is the opening minutes of Veidt's and Hobson's table scene at the Three Vikings Restaurant, which in the U.S. version begins at the point when Veidt and Hobson begin drinking together and look at Veidt's watch. Another cut sequence shows black male dancers and white female dancers in a nightclub production number [The "White Negro" cabaret designed & executed by Hedley Briggs], a racial combination that would have outraged much of white America at the time, especially in the Southern states.
    • Connections
      Featured in The South Bank Show: Michael Powell (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Face in the Crowd
      (uncredited)

      Music by Richard Addinsell

      Lyrics by Nicholas Phipps

    User reviews24

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    A Suave Continental leading man?
    When Contraband came out in November of 1940 Denmark had been invaded and occupied for several months. If there was a pretense of neutrality before, there was none now as the Danes were forced to be allied with the United Kingdom and its Commonwealth. Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson star in the Powell/Pressburger spy thriller done in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock. Lots of resemblance with Hitch's classic The 39 Steps.

    Veidt is a Danish sea captain who is not real happy about being neutral and the risks it imposes on people like him trying to earn a living transporting trade goods. After a British inspection of his ship, two passengers fly the coop with his ship's log and landing clearances. One of them is Valerie Hobson and Veidt makes an unauthorized landing of his own to apprehend Hobson and her partner.

    Soon enough he's up to his Danish ears in all kinds of intrigue concerning smuggling. He and Hobson pair off well, very much like Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll in The 39 Steps. Veidt who was known in America primarily for those smooth villainous roles like The Thief of Bagdad, Escape, and Casablanca could easily have transitioned to an all purpose continental leading man like Charles Boyer had be immigrated to America in time of peace.

    It's not a Hitchcock like classic. But Contraband was a film pleasing enough to British audiences back in the day.
    helpful•6
    2
    • bkoganbing
    • Aug 15, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 29, 1940 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Danish
    • Also known as
      • Ratni krijumcari
    • Filming locations
      • Chester Square, Belgravia, London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • British National Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £47,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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