Most impressive wartime drama of Dutch Resistance with a sting at its beginning - the execution of those involved. It's the tense tale of six airmen hoping to reach freedom. In essence, in fact, Emeric has written the same story as his last film, 49th Parallel, switching sides, as it were - but this works better, it's more concentrated and less episodic.
With no music, Ronnie Neame catches the imagery of a night bombing raid and its aftermath well; Lean edited again. In fact the opening sequence is of a crewless bomber - quite eerie. John Seabourne is associate director, Krasker 'associate photographer'.
The six are: Godfrey Tearle, Eric Portman (sporting his native Yorkshire accent), Hugh Williams, Bernard Miles, Hugh Burden and Emrys Jones. Those helping: Pamela Brown, Joyce Redman, Googie Withers (formerly in two of Powell's quota quickies The Love Match and Crown vs. Stevens), Roland Culver, Peter Ustinov. Robert Helpmann (I know, funny to see all important future cast members earlier on) is a Nazi collaborator.
Loved Williams kissing Withers' hand (twice); as the elder statesman, Tearle gets a kiss.
The Netherlands is quite convincingly played by East Anglia.
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