Edge of Darkness (1943) User Reviews (60)

A brave and interesting film!

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 7/10 · 9 September 2000]

The heroic resistance of the occupied Norway attracted, for some reason, a fair amount of interest, in "The Commandos Strike At Dawn,"

"The Moon Is Down," and "Edge of Darkness."

Lewis Milestone, who has made the pacifist "All Quiet on the Western Front, is a key figure in crusading films about war..

His "Edge of Darkness" is a brave and interesting film ,and a touching tribute to Norwegian courage during the Nazi occupation...

The characterization is cleverly drawn: Errol Flynn, the fisherman who assumes command of the resistance in his small Norwegian village; Ann Sheridan, the willful and obstinate daughter of the respected physician Walter Huston who didn't want to know but is led inexorably to aid the resistance after his innocent daughter is brutally raped by a German soldier; Ruth Gordon, his shy retiring wife, as the neurotic mother who lives in dreams of the past; her greedy brother, the opportunistic businessman Charles Dingle who owns the cannery which employs most of the villagers, a traitor who "deals in facts... The future is with the New Order."

After the battle between the German garrison and the townspeople, when all his hopes and dreams are shattered, he wanders through the devastated village claiming it as his own: "It's mine, it's all mine", he cries with mad irrational eyes to a German patrol... Of course he is shot down...

Another characters in the movie: John Beal, the weak and traitorous son; an innkeeper (Judith Anderson) whose hatred of the enemy is intensified by their killing of her husband; and a courageous schoolmaster (Morris Carvosky), whose ivory tower is completely smashed...

The most interesting feature of the film is in its declination of social structure... The capitalist Dingle, is recognized by the brutal Nazis; the humble fisherman Flynn becomes the leader of the underground movement...

All the peacetime hierarchies are overturned: the lovely Ann Sheridan is capable to fall in love with Flynn, who, in peacetime, would have been untouchable..

Decision-making is no longer the exclusive right of the town elders, but of everybody... All the villagers must be involved... In the church they gather to decide whether or not to accept British guns and bullets... It is a matter for the villagers to decide by concord of opinion... They talk until they have agreed..

The film ends with the marching into the hills to continue their resistance... Walter Huston stumbles and falls... Flynn and his fiancée rush to help him up... He protests, "I can manage alone!" They persist, and as they hold him between them, Flynn says, "There is no need to walk alone."

Norwegian Resistance

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 23 December 2005]

One of the things that all of the films about Norway during World War II fail to mention is why the Nazis were there in the first place. All of the Scandinavian countries would have gladly sat out this war as they did World War I. In fact all, but Sweden got into it for various reasons.

In the case of Norway, it's simply the long Norwegian coastline. Even before the Soviet Union was invaded, Hitler saw the necessity of preventing supplies from getting to the Soviets should they break the Hitler-Stalin pact and enter the war on the allied side. The convoy route used was the one into the Arctic Ocean into Archangel and Murmansk. No other route was possible for American lend lease. The Nazis operated bases from Norway and sank a lot of allied shipping in the North Atlantic.

So this is why this small village and so many others like it were occupied and why the country was invaded. The Norwegian people from the king and queen on down, knew their country was in a sideshow theater, yet they did resist as best they could.

In fact Mr. Churchill did mount a counterattack in Norway, but the invasion failed and British troops had to withdraw. From time to time he brought up freeing Norway during allied conferences, but could get no support for it from Roosevelt or Stalin.

Errol Flynn stars in Edge of Darkness and the usual Flynn derring-do is kept on hold. Probably in keeping with the stoical nature of Scandinavian character. He's not exactly Captain Blood in this one. He's a fisherman, but his natural qualities of leadership come through as he leads the resistance.

Edge of Darkness is the story of one coastal Norwegian village who put up with Nazi occupation beyond what was humanly bearable. The rape of Ann Sheridan finally touches off a revolt.

It's not a star vehicle per se. Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan have a great deal less dialog than they would in most films. Edge of Darkness is a study of the various townspeople and the way each one of them deals with the Nazi occupation.

Walter Huston and Ruth Gordon are the parents of Sheridan and John Beal. Huston is the town doctor and tries to remain above the battle. Gordon, like Patricia Collinge in The Little Foxes, retreats into nostalgia. Sheridan is a resistance member and Beal was an informer in Oslo, but only the immediate family know it at first.

However the performance I like the best is Charles Dingle's. Dingle has always been one of my favorite character players ever. He's Gordon's brother, the owner of the cannery, and he quite deliberately chooses to collaborate with the Germans. He's the kind of villain you love to hate as is Helmut Dantine the commanding officer of the Nazi garrison.

We learn Dingle's fate at the beginning of the film and as the action unfolds in flashback the audience really rejoices in that fate.

No mistake about it, Edge of Darkness is a World War II propaganda film, but still entertaining today

"These fascists will never drive Norwegians out of Norway!"

[utgard14 · 8/10 · 21 November 2014]

Errol Flynn made some of the best and most exciting WW2 films. Here he's part of an ensemble in this story about a small Norwegian fishing village under Nazi occupation. Many of the villagers want to fight back against their occupiers but they have no weapons. Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan are the two main leaders of this resistance group. Sheridan's father Walter Huston wishes to avoid fighting and wait the war out. Then you have her uncle and brother, who are Nazi collaborators. Eventually tensions within the village boil over and the citizens revolt against the evil Nazis.

The cast is excellent. In addition to the three big stars I list above, who all do commendable work, there's an outstanding supporting cast. Judith Anderson is a ballsy resistance fighter who is in love with one of the Nazis but doesn't let that sway her loyalty. Ruth Gordon gives one of her patented sensitive and soft-spoken performances. Charles Dingle and John Beal play the rat bastards who sell their own out to the enemy. One of them has a moment of redemption by the end. Morris Carnovsky is extraordinary as an elderly man who stands up to the Nazis despite the danger. Roman Bohnen is a scene stealer as a patriot who has to overcome his fear. Helmut Dantine plays the scar-faced Nazi in charge of the occupation. Many other fine actors in small parts, some of whom may only get one scene to make an impact but they make the most of it.

Powerful script, beautiful cinematography, and excellent direction. The climactic battle scene is intense. It's an unflinching war movie with little to no comic relief, a rarity for Warner Bros, who usually threw Alan Hale or somebody into these pictures to add some lighter moments. But this is a serious movie about bravery and the sacrifices that so many made in the war. The story doesn't call for lightheartedness. It's one of the best war movies Flynn or WB made.

Comment on Roosevelt's over voice at the end of the film.

[wgmcs6 · 6 August 2004]

I am old enough to have seen "Edge of Darkness" first run during WWII, and believe me this was a powerful movie for a 13 year old during the war. I've always remembered the effect of President Roosevelt's over voice message at the end of the film. For those who haven't seen this film the message was an excerpt from a speech he made probably in late 1940 or 41, and it refers to the resistance of the people of Norway to the occupation by the Nazis. I wouldn't doubt that it is possible that this speech was the inspiration for the novel from which the film is based. Yes, the way this over voice was used was a wartime "message" or propaganda if you will, but having seen and re-seen every war film made during WWII, I think this was about the best use of wartime messages.

Starkly moving chronicle about the events that happen on a Norwegian little town during Nazi occupation

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 23 March 2012]

A story incomparable of a people unconquerable about the underground movement in Norway , 1942 , based on the novel by William Woods . After two years under German rule , a small Norwegian fishing village rises up and revolts against the occupying Nazis . A fisherman (Errol Flynn) along with his loyal fiancée (Ann Sheridan) leads the local (Walter Huston , Ruth Gordon , Judith Anderson and several others) underground movement against a Nazi nasty captain (Helmut Dantine). The second part is quite starkly moving developing account of deeds that befall about the villagers and when they go into action.

A surprisingly very strong version about Norwegian resistance with career-best interpretations from Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan . With a spectacular opening reminiscent of 'Beau Gest' , the film gets action , pretty downbeat deeds , intense drama with moments of extraordinary power and breathtaking final battle . Although numerous problems happened throughout shooting , this movie contains impressive images and submitted performances . Director tries to expose war for what it is and not glorify it . Very well camera work by cameraman Sidney Hickock . Thrilling and evocative musical score by the classic Franz Waxman . Rating : Above average , the flick earned big high marks for its superb scenarios , credible acting and dramatic scenes .

This War/drama is compellingly directed by Lewis Milestone , he was born in the Ukraine , but emigrated to America at 18 and he served in WWI becoming an assistant director on Army training films . Then War returned and Lewis was in thick of it with several fictional movies and a documentary . He often made chronicles of wartime conflicts and persisted in showing horror war from the point of view of the ordinary soldier . Milestone was using what he felt were the best means at his disposal to express his own philosophies about war in particular . Milestone's niche in movie history is secure with his War films and it is on these pictures that his reputation rests . As he showed WWI , winning Academy Award for ¨All quiet on the western front¨ , and WWII such as ¨Purple heart¨ , ¨Halls of Montezuma¨ , ¨Edge and darkness¨ , the best of which is ¨A walk in the sun¨ with remarkable intensity at times and Korean war as ¨Pork Chop Hill¨ ; and directed several others excellent movies in different fields , dramas as ¨Of mice and men¨ , Noir cinema as ¨Strange love of Martha Ivers¨, adventure as ¨Mutiny on the Bount¨ and heist-comedy as ¨Ocean's eleven¨, among others.

The picture is set during German invasion of Norway and subsequent Nazi conquest , the historical events are the following : The invasion began on April 9, 1940. The German Navy and Airforce led the operation . The Hitler plan relied on surprise to avoid interception by the British and to prevent Norwegian forces from mobilizing. The sudden appearance of naval task forces took Norwegian defenders by surprise and allowed airfields around Oslo , Tondheim and Stevenager to be captured by the German intact. German forces at Trondheim advanced and linked up with forces in Oslo. Norwegian forces in central and southern began to surrender. In northern Norway British and French troops fighting against Germans in Narvik . But the Allied decided to pull out of Norway , evacuating forces from Narvik . After that , Nazi conquest was completed with help some collaborators as the famous ¨Quisling¨ who was a Norwegian prime minister whose collaboration with the Nazis meant his name became a term meaning traitor and in this film is represented by the Walter Huston , Ruth Gordon's son , John Beal .

One of the best WWII American propaganda films

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 22 September 2007]

The term 'propaganda' has generally taken on a very negative connotation, though propaganda can be a very good thing--such as in the case of EDGE OF DARKNESS. Here is a film that did an excellent job of rallying the audience for the war effort against the Nazis. The emotional impact is great--mostly due to exceptional writing, production values and a nice ensemble cast. I'm sure when audiences left the theaters, they often were energized and it gave them a sense that "we're all in this together".

Errol Flynn is cast in the lead as a Norwegian patriot who is slowly and very covertly trying to plan for a rebellion against their Nazi overlords. Interestingly, while Flynn and the rest do not sport Norwegian accents, the film (and in particular, Flynn's performance) is generally understated. This helped make the film seem more realistic and heightened the emotional impact.

In addition to Flynn, the film also stars Ann Sheridan, Walter Huston and Ruth Gordon. However, unlike most Warner Brothers films of the day, the usual cast of supporting actors (Allen Jenkins, Frank McHugh, Alan Hale and the rest) are absent. This was a good decision, as the usual "comic relief" style of support is --replaced with a gritty yet believable group of actors.

What I also liked about the film was that while the Nazis were very brutal and evil, they were not quite so over-the-top as they were in many propaganda films of the day. Yes, they murdered and even raped, but the whole thing was handled more realistically than many films--the Germans were not parodied or ridiculous--making them all the more scary.

The film ends with a terrific final confrontation scene between the Norwegians and the Nazis. It was very deftly filmed and was super-exciting.

All in all, this is one terrific film--mostly due to realism and excellent performances all around--from direction to sets to writing to acting to cinematography. A real stand out among the crowded pack of American WWII films.

Norwegian resistance

[dkncd · 7/10 · 4 November 2007]

"Edge of Darkness" is set in a small Norwegian village during the time of the Nazi occupation of Norway. The film examines the lives of the villagers and their resistance to the Nazis.

Errol Flynn plays Gunnar Brogge, the accepted leader of the villagers. Gunnar isn't as overt as Flynn's Robin Hood or Captain Blood, but this is not surprising considering that he act secretly due to a ubiquitous Nazi presence in the village. Flynn is however, still effective in another of his heroic roles. Two other important villagers are well-played by veterans Ann Sheridan and Walter Huston. Helmut Dantine is notable as the zealous Nazi commander and as is Charles Dingle as an opportunistic village business leader that labels himself as a "man of facts" and collaborates with the Nazis.

While there are some interesting themes, characterizations and scenes like the church scene in the film's first half, the first half as a whole is somewhat plodding. The film's second half is stronger as the Nazis tighten their grip on the village and the villagers mount their opposition. There is a touching sequence in this part of the film where Morris Carnovsky, as an older villager, confronts the Nazi commander on principle and is treated maliciously. In all parts of the film the blaring and marshal score helps to develop the tension the Nazis create. The film's expected final conflict was well-shot and an exciting way to end the film. "Edge of Darkness" is a decent war-time film about opposition to Nazi repression.

My Favorite WW II Movie of all time

[rollo_tomaso · 10/10 · 14 May 2001]

From the mystery of the first scene, you know that this is not just another war movie. This dealt honestly and on a raw level with the gut-wrenching issues that emerge when a country is occupied by a people not very much unlike themselves. Both sides try to reconcile the apparent incongruities to peacefully co-exist and yet allow the Norwegians to keep their basic human dignity, but alas the positions are inevitably irreconcilable. Because the emotions it portrays are so genuine and honest, this is one of the best propaganda films made by the allies while the war was still ongoing. Nancy Colman and Judith Anderson are standouts in a uniformly excellent cast. I consider this the perfect war film.

As good a World War II propaganda film as there is, emphasis on evil Nazis

[jacobs-greenwood · 7/10 · 7 December 2016]

Directed by Lewis Milestone, who won Oscars for Two Arabian Knights (1927) and All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), this William Woods novel was adapted by Robert Rossen. It's about the struggle against the Nazi occupation in Norway during World War II in the spring of 1942.

Despite the fact that it's primarily a propaganda film, it's a very good drama which features solid performances by several of the more popular Warner Bros. stars in their day, including: Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan, Walter Huston, Helmut Dantine, Judith Anderson, and Ruth Gordon, among others.

It's May 28, 1942 and a German patrol plane flies over a small fishing community in Norway. Its pilot notices that a Norwegian flag is flying over the garrison in lieu of the Nazi's flag. He radios this fact to the authorities who dispatch a troop laden boat to the area. Upon investigation, the Germans discover that, except for the raving cannery owner - Kaspar Torgerson (Charles Dingle) - who they unceremoniously shoot dead, the town's streets are strewn with dead people, including their own soldiers. They continue to march through the village to its hotel, where they see the remains of a "last stand" and find their occupation commander Captain Koenig (Dantine) at his desk, where he's been shot in the head. The rest of the story is told in flashback:

Koenig relates the details of his situation to a visiting Nazi SS officer: he has 150 men positioned throughout the 800 resident fishing community and, though they've experienced small forms of resistance at random times over the past 2 years, he feels confident that the situation is under control such that he's applied for a promotional transfer. He lists the names of several leaders of the resistance, but says he hasn't got what he needs to arrest them and his orders are to keep the peace. We learn that fisherman Gunnar Brogge (Flynn); his girlfriend Karen (Sheridan), the daughter of Dr. Stensgard (Huston); hotelier Gerd Blarnesen (Anderson), whose father was killed during the German invasion, yet she's "romantically" pursued by a German officer; shopkeeper Lars Malken (Roman Bohnen); and baker Knut Osterholm (Art Smith) are all resistance leaders (as is Monte Blue, who appears uncredited). Gordon plays Dr. Stensgard's (Huston's) wife Anna; Nancy Coleman plays Koenig's kept woman, and a local who doesn't want to get involved. I believe that's Virginia Christine, the Folgers coffee woman, who appears uncredited as the Stensgard's maid. As it turns out, the Nazi SS officer is really British, and is undercover to tell the Norwegians that arms are on the way, and how they'll be delivered. The college educated Karen is given the task of remembering the complicated signally code.

A town meeting is held in the church to decide what to do once the arms are obtained. Of course, its pastor (Richard Fraser) is against violence. Hammer (Tom Fadden, uncredited) tells the congregation how he was injured in the massacre that occurred in another similar community not far away. Gunnar calmly leads the meeting, making sure each one's views are heard. Dr. Stensgard doesn't want to get involved. The old school teacher Sixtus Andresen (Morris Carnovsky) doesn't have any advice or wisdom to impart. Ultimately, however, they vote to take up arms against their German occupiers once the time comes. Torgerson, who wasn't at this meeting but senses an uprising, is a businessman who wants to keep the peace, for the fisherman to continue to work as if nothing has happened such that his cannery can remain open. So, he invites his nephew, his sister is Anna, Johann Stensgard (John Beal) to return from Oslo, where he didn't resist its occupation by the Germans. Obviously Karen is not too happy that her brother, referred to as a Quisling (Norway's equivalent of Benedict Arnold), has come home at such a critical time. She informs the rest of the resistance leaders of the possibility that he will betray them so that, encouraged by Torgerson who promises him the cannery is his future, when he does he is made to be the fool by Malken, who's somewhat of a boob himself with feelings of self importance.

Since you know where this is leading, there isn't much more to tell except, given its propaganda theme, that the Germans led by Koenig (played as well as can be expected by Dantine, who you'll probably recognize as the German pilot that Greer Garson's Mrs. Miniver (1942) must deal with, given the one dimensional character he had to play) are shown to be successively more oppressive - burning Andresen's books, committing rape, etc. - until a full scale, armed revolt is the town's only recourse.

What is particularly noteworthy is Huston's characterization of the henpecked doctor who is credibly transformed from a pacifist into a patriot during the course of events. The battle scenes themselves are nothing spectacular or unique, but they are worthy of the rest of this quality film.

A Norwegian fishing village faces down the Nazis

[blanche-2 · 9/10 · 22 September 2007]

"The Edge of Darkness" is a 1943 propaganda film about a Norwegian fishing village rising up to fight the Nazis. However, this movie is a cut above other propaganda movies. The cast is excellent, top-notch all the way: Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan, Walter Huston, Ruth Gordon, John Beal, Helmut Dantine, Judith Anderson and Morris Carnovsky. Sometimes on the IMDb message board, a poster will ask for opinions on the best ensemble cast ever assembled. This one deserves a mention. It's probably not at the top of everyone's list because it was released while Errol Flynn was fighting statutory rape charges, which was a distraction to audiences, certainly, and also because it followed "Casablanca."

Norway was dragged into the World War II conflict because Hitler was very concerned about protecting the Norwegian shoreline so that the Russians could not receive supplies if they joined the Allies. In the story, the village is being occupied by the Nazis, who are taking the people's shipments of basic necessities and oppressing the entire town by their very presence - curfews, patrols, and the commandeering of the local hotel as their base. Flynn plays the head of the resistance, a brave fisherman named Gunnar Brogge. He is joined in the fight byand by other villagers and by the woman he loves, Karen Stensgard (Sheridan). Her father (Huston) is a doctor who, like many others, has been content not to make waves; his wife (Gordon) longs for the days before the war when the family was together. Karen, however, has no such wish - her brother, Johann (John Beal) is a weakling who collaborated with the Nazis in Oslo. Hearing that he's returning home, she warns the resistance group that he could cause problems. Meanwhile, the group waits to receive a shipment of arms so that they can fight effectively.

The director, Lewis Milestone, has created an atmosphere where one feels the oppression, fear and frustration of these simple people. There are powerful scenes that demonstrate the viciousness of the Nazis, led by Helmut Dantine. One scene is off-camera - the rape of Karen. As another poster here commented, she of course looks fabulous when she returns to the group - some dirt smudges and her beautiful hair falling around her face. That is really the one false note in this story of great bravery.

The entire cast is terrific, led by Flynn, who demonstrates quiet strength and determination as Gunnar. This is really an ensemble piece, however, and Flynn and Sheridan do not overwhelm the production. Walter Huston again demonstrates his brilliant acting skills as a man trying to stick it out without having a high profile, and Gordon is sympathetic as his wife, who yearns for the family moments that are now gone. All of the roles, including the smaller ones, are essayed beautifully.

I am sure that this film was very inspirational when first seen, particularly the radio message from Roosevelt at the end of the movie. "Edge of Darkness" is a compelling story about the effect of the war and occupation on the average person.

I point them to Norway.

[hitchcockthelegend · 6/10 · 7 July 2010]

Directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Errol Flynn, Walter Huston, Ann Sheridan & Ruth Gordon. It's based on a script by Robert Rossen which is adapted from a novel by William Woods. The story revolves around Trollness, a fishing village in Norway suffering under years of oppressive Nazi occupation. With the locals divided on what to do about it, with some having vested interests that are not totally worthy, a guerrilla resistance effort finally sparks into life.

Very competent film making across the board, but the film at nearly two hours long is often a chore to get thru. It's refreshing, tho, to see a film about the Norwegian resistance, a great chapter in the war that we sadly don't see much of in cinema. While one of the best things about the film is in how it portrays that not all the Norwegians wanted the Nazis out. Some were happy to let them occupy, others were just too frightened to do something about it. Here in Milestone's movie a catalyst spurs the village into action and it's then that the movie gains impetus. This does come at a cost as such, tho, since the heroics in the rousing finale are over contrived. Nicely shot on California coastal locations to gain some "Norwegian" authenticity (Sidney Hickox on photography).

Worthy, watchable but not one to sample too often. 6/10

Norway Stands Proud

[herbqedi · 10/10 · 5 May 2002]

This terrific movie is remarkable for many things. It holds you in a vice-like grip from its unforgettable beginning. Nazi troops see the old flag of Norway flying and go to investigate but find hardly anyone still alive. Helmut Dantine is remarkable as one of the most humane and believable Nazi captains ever portrayed on film. The Germans have some respect for the Norwegians, some but perhaps not enough. Attempts to interact and work together are sabotaged by irreconcilable differences. The camera work and score are both magnificent. One interesting thing here as the movie's nominal star, Errol Flynn (playing a Norwegian named Gunnar (!) ), takes a back seat to riveting and magnificent performances by the supporting cast. Special standouts, besides Dantine, include Judith Anderson, Walter Huston, Nancy Coleman, Ann Sheridan, and John Beal. Watch it and you will never forget it.

Heroic Norwegian resistance makes strong wartime melodrama...

[Doylenf · 6/10 · 18 September 2007]

ERROL FLYNN and ANN SHERIDAN are the nominal stars of EDGE OF DARKNESS, but it's a strong character-driven tale that gives interesting supporting roles to a Warner cast of contract players and loan-outs and does not depend solely on Flynn or Sheridan for its impact. It's a WWII tale of Norwegian resistance and it's given Grade A treatment from the studio with some eye-popping camera work under the inspired direction of Lewis Milestone.

WALTER HUSTON is a doctor, at first reluctant to show fierce opposition to the cause; RUTH GORDON is his worried wife; JUDITH ANDERSON is a strong-willed resistance fighter who is also resisting the advances of a Nazi officer; HELMUT DANTINE is once again cast as a hateful Nazi who knows when he's outnumbered; NANCY COLEMAN is his neurotic sweetheart who wants to break away from the Nazi environment and return to Poland; CHARLES DINGLE is the wealthy man who owns the cannery and goes insane when he witnesses the slaughter his village falls prey to.

The drawback is the obvious propaganda tone and overly melodramatic scenes of brutality strongly contrasted by the heroics of the townspeople, including the village pastor. Topping all of these scenes is the final voice-over by no less than F.D.R. praising the Norwegians for their stance against occupied Norway while "A Mighty Fortress" builds up on the soundtrack. Franz Waxman's background score is frequently as melodramatic as the on screen action.

But still, the last forty minutes of the film are comprised of some of the most powerful scenes and gives the whole story the kind of stature it deserves for the final climactic battle scenes.

Summing up: Worthwhile film is gripping at times but weakened by occasional lapses of melodramatic excess, in typical '40s style.

Edge of mediocrity

[AAdaSC · 5/10 · 27 March 2016]

During WW2, a Norwegian fishing village is no longer flying the Nazi flag. After entering the village to find out why, the Nazi invaders are shocked to find carnage – dead bodies everywhere. The film then goes into flashback to describe the events that have led to this moment.

There are pockets of resistance in the village that Nazi Captain Helmut Dantine (Koenig) has to contend with – small scale stuff but a continuous presence and fisherman Errol Flynn (Gunnar) and doctor's daughter Ann Sheridan (Karen) are usual suspects. Flynn, Sheridan and Dantine lead the cast admirably in their roles but not everyone fares so well, especially with the clichéd dialogue they are given. Cases in point are Polish floozy Nancy Coleman (Katja), the awfully saccharine Ruth Gordon who plays Sheridan's mother and the idiot headmaster Morris Carnovsky. They somewhat ruin the film in that we just don't care what happens to them. This is bad news given that they are given key sequences to act out. All meaning to their scenes gets diffused with other sentiments, mainly – what awful acting and stupid behaviour. Even doctor Walter Huston as Dunne's father left me indifferent and I've liked him in other films.

I've been to Trondheim in Norway and it is pretty impressive and eerie with all the destroyers parked in the port. You can't help but feel a military presence, so I feel the urgency for these villagers to take their village back. Unfortunately, this film drags. It's OK to watch but could and should have been much better. There is about one memorable scene – check out what village vicar Richard Fraser does when he decides which way his bread is buttered.

Brilliant Cinematography

[harry-76 · 8 August 2001]

Sidney Hickox's cinematography is a fine example of the best of black and white productions of the 30s and 40s. Hickox employs depth of focus, zoom, tracking, black and white noir-style contrasts, minatures, mattes and montages with equal finesse.

Added to this are carefully executed camera angles, which perfectly capture the appropriate moods which Director Lewis Milestone wishes to achieve. It is a film which can give pleasure even with the sound turned off.

Milestone is completely successful in coaching his cast to work in ensemble fashion, which parallels the comraderie of the Norwegian people trying to off-stand the oppressive Nazi troupes which hold the village in captivity.

Milestone's productional team, from the editing and art direction to the set decoration and scoring, are uniformly fine. But I still didn't like it.

Mr. Milestone, in his quest for anti-war themes, to my mind, got carried away with these unpleasant subjects to the point of their becoming an obscession. Throughout his career the returned to these themes, creating technically memorable, but consciously skewed works.

Like all such genre films, Milestone fell into the traditional pitfall: exploiting effect, without delving into cause. True, effects are the stuff of drama, which in turn becomes a commentary on the ultimate limitations of the craft -- or of writers, who either are unwilling or unable to express a rounded portrait of total truth and balanced essences.

"Edge of Darkness" remains a studio propaganda film, intended to mobilize its audience into patriotic thinking and actions. It's all about we-good-they-bad -- without any hint the enactment depicting merely different sides of the same coin.

wartime anti-Nazi flick

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 5 November 2021]

A squad of Nazi soldiers arrives in the devastated small Norwegian fishing town of Trollness. The Norwegian flag is still flying. There are dead everywhere and many are Germans. The story flashbacks to the occupied town before the fighting.

This is a wartime anti-Nazi propaganda flick starring Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan. It's a simple rebellion thriller story and a sincere support for the war effort. Flynn is being a little too heroic especially in front of the Nazis. It may be something that he cannot change. There is a good amount of melodrama. That is to be expected. In fact, that may be the preferred sensibility. All in all, this is a good watch and fits its time very well.

Lewis Milestone's WWII Masterpiece Still Packs A Big Wallop

[oldblackandwhite · 9/10 · 7 September 2011]

Edge Of Darkness is one of the most underrated movies by one of the most underrated directors, Lewis Milestone. This World War Two "propaganda" piece or morale builder rises far above its genre in the hands of the cinematic master best known for his magisterial World War One picture All Quiet On The Western Front. The story of a revolt brewing against Nazi occupiers by the people of a Norwegian fishing village, scripted by Robert Rossen, is reeled out in Milestone's fluid, sensuous cinematic style with spellbinding suspense from beginning to end. Sets are first rate, with the magic of Old Hollywood art transforming the California coast into a misty Scandinavian fjord.

Leading man Errol Flynn turns in perhaps his best job of acting. His dashing image is completely lost in the role of a humble fisherman not entirely confident as the leader of the local Resistance movement. No dashing uniform here, just a pea coat and a plain merchant sailor's cap. And no mustache! Flynn and leading lady Ann Sheridan both turn in the solid, understated performances their roles called for, but it is a superb cast of supporting players that really shines in this one. One of the great charms of this memorable movie is the rich character development amongst the supporting parts. Walter Huston, as the town doctor trying to sit the fence, and Judith Anderson, as a Resistance worker hopelessly in love with a German soldier, are dominating as always. But the show is practically stolen by Roman Bohnen, as a henpecked, middle-aged store keeper with dreams of glory, and the ubiquitous Henry Brandon, as a suave SS officer who may not be all he seems. Helmut Dantine, a refugee Austrian anti-Nazi in real life, plays the German commandant with razor-edge ruthlessness. Likewise outstanding are Ruth Gordon as the doctor's sadly unbalanced wife, Charles Dingle as her Quissling brother, John Beal as her wavering Quissling son, and Nancy Coleman as the commandant's frightened Polish mistress. Monte Blue, Frank Wilcox, Art Bridge, and Morris Carnovsky add their always reliable presences. Thanks to consummate acting skill, Rossen's intelligent script, and Milestone's precise direction, you will come to know these characters as well as your neighbors by the shattering end of this two hour movie.

Franz Waxman's florid score themed on Martin Luther's stirring hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is My God" with snatches from Wagner sweeps the action along to a rousing climax.Sid Hickox is credited for the sublime cinematography, but as I have stated elsewhere (see my review of The General Died At Dawn), Milestone's graphic statement was the same no matter who was behind the camera or in the editing room. Sweeping camera, silky smooth scene changes with creative dissolves, panning mise-en-scene were all the master's trademarks -- much imitated and highly influential on the film noir style that came to dominate pictures of all genres during the 1940's. Notice how at the beginning of the final scene in Edge of Darkness the flapping flag dissolves into a sheet of paper in a typewriter!

Edge of Darkness is a classic of the war/intrigue genre and one of the great movies of all time. First rate Old Hollywood entertainment from the master Lewis Milestone.

A profoundly moving situation, but a routine movie

[secondtake · 6/10 · 5 August 2018]

The Edge of Darkness (1943)

A solid WWII movie about the resistance in Norway. There is the immediate plot, about an ally who was occupied by the Nazi Germans, and there is the wider allegory about ordinary people (the Americans watching the movie) rising up against true tyranny. Errol Flynn is of course famous for his swordsmanship in his earlier films, but he plays a thoroughly good man well, tortured by the facts but always out to do what is best. There are other actors that matter-Walter Huston as a prominent doctor in town, and Ann Sheridan as the principled, stoic woman. It's mostly a routine production, with obvious anti-Nazi sentiments that override much of the plot. And it starts a bit slowly, with a set up that mattered more when the movie was made and see in the theaters and the Germans were crushing Europe. Including Norway, which famously did not go neutral like Sweden did, and paid a high price. The people portrayed here are the ordinary folk who seem powerless next to a well armed occupying army, but who found a way to fight back, at least in their own microcosym. You can't get away from the predictable stances of everyone here-including the necessary traitor or two. There is little suspense, but there is a lot of tension, which is different-these are in the many scenes toward the end of military confrontations. It's here that director Milestone seems to still be making his famous "All Quiet on the Western Front" which is a great movie with a great script. This is not great, but it's not just because the script and novel are ordinary. There is a style of acting and filming here that is a bit false. Watch people get shot and throw their arms in the air in a way that is reall more like a creaky silent film. It's mostly solid, to be sure, and a supportive part of the war effort. Keep that context to get the most out of it. And feel for the real people who had to fight and live through the Nazi brutality.

Superb story, director and actors

[Dcurt1943 · 10/10 · 19 April 2005]

I keep a list of 100 all time favorite movies. This movie is in the top fifty. It has superb actors: Walter Houston, Ruth Gordon, Errol Flynn, etc. The Director did an excellent job. The movie shows that humans, when beaten down too harshly, will rise up, if given the opportunity, to destroy the oppressor and restore freedom of choice. In this case, the German Nazis brutally oppress the Norwigans of a small fishing village. The full range of human emotions is displayed. This is drama at its best. It would help galvanize a world against the oppressor. After WWII the film is still applicable to world events somewhere. It is a great history movie!

There Must Be Complete Submission To The Master Race!

[sol1218 · 7/10 · 19 September 2007]

(Some Spoilers) We already see there's been a slaughter in the little Norwegian town of Trollness as a German military scout plane lands there to check out what happened.The head Nazi in town Capt. Hauptmann Koenig, Helmut Dantine, is found behind his desk with a self inflected bullet wound in his skull. This obviously in an attempt by the Captain to prevent himself from being taken alive by the rebellious Norwegians and made to face the music.

It's then that we get this almost two hour flashback to what lead up to this mindless slaughter of what looks like the entire town and the German garrison in it. Capt. Koenig felt that his ability to lead man in battle had been squandered by his higher up in the German Military High Command by being put in this little nothing town on the Northen Norwegian coast. Wanting to see action on the Russian Front the Captain was always turned down by his superiors from being stationed there. This made Captain Koeing very pi**ed off but unable to take it out on those who screwed him, the German Military High Command, he took it out on the local peaceful Norwegians.

Capt. Koenig abuse of the people of Trollness lead them to go so far as getting involved with the British in having them, through he Royal Navy, get loads of arms ammunition and explosives in order to drive the hated Germans out. But what they really needed most was the will to do it, drive the Germans out of town, and be willing to suffer the consequences.

When the and the people of Trollness just had their fill of Capt. Koenig and his men they lead by Norwegian freedom fighter Gunnar Brogge, Errol Flynn, broke open the boxes of guns and ammunition that they got from the British and planned to have the German run out of town once and for all. It's wasn't until after Gunner's girlfriend Karen Stensgard, Ann Sheridan, was assaulted and raped, off camera, by a horny German soldier who had the hots for her for some time that he finally got it, and the men and women of the town, all together and revolted against the Germans.

It's when Gunnar himself and the leaders of Trollness were rounded up and forced to dig their own graves by the Germans that had the townspeople lead by the peace loving father of Karen Dr. Stensgard, Walter Huston, and town towns ultra-passive Paster Aalesen, Richard Prasen, take to the streets.

What's makes "Edge of Darkness" a cut above your average war-time propaganda movie is that it keeps the action off the screen until the last fifteen or so minutes. When the fighting finally breaks out the good guys, the freedom fighting Norwegians, are for the most part the ones who get the worst of it by the much better armed and disciplined German troops. What makes the Norwegians succeed is that their more then willing to die,unlike the Germans, for both their ideals and freedoms. The Norwegians use human wave and suicide tactics, totally disregarding their lives and safety, like attacking the Germans with live hand grenades, exploding themselves together with the German troops, in order to drive the hated Germans out of Trolless.

An irony in the movie is that the two Quisling in it Kasper Torgerson, Charles Dingle, and is nephew Johann Stensgrad, John Beal, Karen's and Dr. Stensgard brother and son die different death one fighting against the Nazis and the other sucking up to them. Johann having a change of heart risks and eventually gives his life alerting the Norwegian freedom fighters, lead by Gunnar Brogge, that the Germans are waiting in an ambush that they set up for them. Kasper survives the slaughter of Trollness only to get shot, as he rants and raves like a lunatic, by the very Germans whom he sold his people and country out to.

A unique perspective on the battle lines in war

[aromatic-2 · 10/10 · 27 November 1999]

Edge of Darkness is a rare movie that makes you think about it weeks after you've seen it. It is also rare in that 7 or eight of the supporting performances hit much more deeply than the nominal star's. Errol Flynn is the star, playing a character named Gunnar no less, but in many ways, he is almost peripheral to the real life drama and depth of emotions brought to life by the supporting cast. Ann Sheridan, Nancy Colman, and Dame Judith Anderson all bring vividly to life the choices women are forced to make during an occupation, and Walter Huston, Helmut Dantine, John Beal, and Morris Carnovsky are equally memorable in their roles. A must see.

Uplifting

[TurboarrowIII · 7/10 · 27 September 2014]

This is an uplifting film. Obviously it was meant to be and it is very good propaganda. In 1943 the Nazis were still far from beaten and this film shows the defiance of ordinary Norwegians against a brutal oppressor.

Errol Flynn isn't somebody who many people would think of to play a Norwegian. However, I think he is very good as one. He provides his usual heroic performance, albeit more understated than normal, and shows the sort of determination that many people were showing in real life at the time to defeat the Nazis.

The ending is good especially when the German captain played by Helmut Dantine shoots himself. I believe this was meant to portray the fact that a devout Nazi, as Dantine's character was, was so shocked that the Nazis could be defeated by anybody that he couldn't take it so had to commit suicide. This was meant to show that by fighting back against the Nazis they could crack.

An undoubted propaganda film made at a time when the war was still not definitely decided I thought it was very good at getting the message across that there was at least light at the end of the tunnel in the fight to rid the world of Nazism.

Keeping the monster at bay.

[mark.waltz · 10/10 · 16 March 2016]

When a coastal town of Norway becomes the latest victim of Nazi oppression, the proud townspeople gather together to fight for their continued freedom, deal with traitors ("quislings") amongst their own and eventually show their power over German brutality. An excellent example of war propaganda, this masterful Warner Brothers drama is spared no detail in fighting against Hitler's machine of evil. Leading the way are rumored real-life Nazi spy Errol Flynn and "oomph girl" Ann Sheridan who shows that amongst her loveliness, she was also quite a good dramatic actress and had a truly wonderful spirit. Flynn is the leader of the resistance, a seemingly peace- loving fisherman who has no fear of losing his own life if his homeland can regain its freedom and the nasty fifth columnists all drowned with the help of the many fishing boats docked on their beautiful shores.

Sheridan is the daughter of the town's beloved doctor (the always excellent Walter Huston), a peace-loving man who is against the resistance simply because of fear, but circumstances slowly change his mind. He's married to the quiet and wise Ruth Gordon (long before the days of her campy old ladies), and is looked up to by the town. Others highly involved include the local innkeeper (Judith Anderson, playing a wise, courageous and decent woman, a far cry from her many evil film roles) as well as other businessmen who don't want their livelihoods spoiled by the intrusion of these evil invaders. Some agree with the plan to fight, some want peace (particularly the local priest who must weigh his conscience later on as the situation worsens) and others want action immediately. Huston's family has its own issues with Gordon's factory owning brother (Charles Dingle) the biggest quisling of them all, an influence on their college age son (John Beal) who is exposed and banished.

Of course, with any film dealing with wartime propaganda, at times, it is going to seem melodramatic or over-the-top, but the war years were filled with many tragic elements that fortunately didn't touch American soil outside the Japanese detention camps. The hard-working European farmers and merchants suffered greatly at the hands of German and Italian invaders, so there is no need for subtlety. Other movies have presented similar themes (my other favorite being 1940's "The Mortal Storm"), but "Edge of Darkness" is certainly one of the most riveting with its brilliant characterizations and often nuanced portrayals even of individual Nazi's. Case in point, Judith Anderson's love for a German soldier that isn't presented as betrayal, but does create conflict for her in the fact that the invasion of their town took her father's life. For this reason, she has become sort of a "Madame DeFarge" like character, although in this case, she isn't as vile. Her affections for both Flynn and Sheridan add a charming touch to her tough on the outside, pure sentiment on the inside, character, and for me, she's the most interesting of all the villagers.

On the Nazi side, there's Helmut Dantine as the invading captain, a mess of a man who can't bear to listen to the anti-German tirades of various townspeople, particularly an aging professor whom he listens to as if he knows its the truth but just can't face it because of some sort of doomed destiny. He has a Norwegian mistress (Nancy Coleman) who is ill defined as a character, and I cringed a bit when she makes her final statement starting with "I would like to make a speech". Another apparent Nazi is really an ally plant who risks his life several times in his efforts to help the townsfolk. When tragic circumstances strikes Sheridan, Huston takes things into his own hands which culminates with a seemingly deadly result, and by this time, the Nazi's are worse monsters than anything that came out of Universal's stable of creatures.

Excellent direction by "All Quiet on the Western Front's" Lewis Milestone holds everything together, and the screenplay by future director Robert Rossen (based on a novel by William Wods) is brilliant with only a few minor exceptions. Sid Hickox's photography is striking, and the music by Franz Waxman draws the viewer in emotionally from the time the opening credits roll. I only had issues with some of the cut away photo shots between the resistance and the Nazi's which made it seem that they were closer to each other than they obviously were. I could just see this being played in the movie theater in 1943 with audience members hissing every time the Nazi's did something despicable and large rounds of applause when they got their come-uppance. For that reason alone, this stands the test of time, because every time I have watched this (which has been many), I find myself wanting to do the same thing.

inspiring but a melodrama

[deschreiber · 6/10 · 6 April 2011]

This is one of those heart-stirring war movies about ordinary citizens brutalized by arrogant, violent invaders. Rising up against their oppressors, knowing that it will mean death for many, the common folk achieve moral victory in the end. Who can belittle a theme like that? There are moments where the courage and determination of the common heroes can evoke a tear or give you a lump in your throat, and the sense of triumph at the end is uplifting. Having acknowledged all that, it has to be pointed out for the sake of newcomers to the film that the film is also unabashed melodrama, in which everything is black and white with no greys, where everything is just a little too much--too much nobility and self-sacrifice on one side, too much cruelty and inhumanity on the other, too many fine speeches, too many tear-jerking moments, too many scenes with the sole purpose of playing on the viewer's heartstrings. If you're prepared for the melodrama and not expecting anything too close to the complex reality of actual people and actual situations, you can enjoy this movie.

Even for 1943, pitifully cliché and contrived war movie

[drystyx · 2/10 · 6 July 2011]

This should have been a good movie. But it is the exact opposite way of creating a story or characters. It's a movie about Scandinavian resistance to German oppression during World War II. A bit silly when the Germans speak of themselves as a master race to them, when Hitler idolized the very blonde women that are the only female survivors of the movie, but that's just one of the multitude of clichés you'll find here.

It is easily the worst movie Errol Flynn ever did, and I do mean "ever".

It is one of the worst examples of character writing you will ever find. It is the opposite of what most writers want to do. It has usually been cool to take what appear to be one dimensional characters and evolve them into multiple dimensions. The screen writer here does the opposite. Some start by seeming to be believable, but devolve into pitiful one dimensional clichés.

It is probably the most predictable movie you will ever see, even by 1943 standards. Yes, you will groan as you properly predict not only who gets killed, but exactly how and when, and you'll hope you are wrong, but the contrived writing here will make you wonder why big time producers actually pay money to those hacks.

Too bad, because this could have been a better film if written by just about anyone else.