Commandos Strike at Dawn

1942

Drama / History / War

5
IMDb Rating 6.5/10 10 1089 1.1K

Plot summary

A gentle widower, enraged at Nazi atrocities against his peaceful Norwegian fishing village, escapes to Britain and returns leading a commando force against the oppressors.

Director

John Farrow Photo
John Farrow

Top cast

Rosemary DeCamp Photo
Rosemary DeCamp as Hilma Arnesen
Louis Jean Heydt Photo
Louis Jean Heydt as Karl Arnesen
George Macready Photo
George Macready as Schoolteacher
Lillian Gish Photo
Lillian Gish as Mrs. Bergesen
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
916.75 MB
960*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 39 min
Seeds 2
1.66 GB
1440*1080
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 39 min
Seeds 3

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by jjnxn-1 6 / 10

Norway's struggle in WWII

Its propaganda roots are obvious now but still a well acted war drama about the struggle of Norway against the Nazi machine. Paul Muni is strong in the lead. Famed for parts where he was under heavy makeup like Emile Zola and Louis Pasteur those performances viewed today are heavy and hammy whereas in plain clothes such as here and I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang he is far more naturalistic. A cast of fine character actors all add texture to the film. Lillian Gish's part is small and mostly without dialogue but of course she could convey more with a look than most actresses with a telephone book worth of words.
Reviewed by blanche-2 7 / 10

good propaganda film

"Commandos Strike at Dawn," from 1942, is another propaganda that demonstrates the spirit of the Norwegians and their commitment to resistance. This one is directed by John Farrow, with a screenplay by a man whose name would become synonymous with long novels, Irwin Shaw, and stars Paul Muni, Anna Lee, Lillian Gish, Cedric Hardwicke, Alexander Knox, George MacCready, Ann Carter, Rosemary DeCamp, and Ray Collins.Based on a story by C.S. Forester, "Commandos Strike at Dawn" tells the story of more victims of Quisling, citizens of a small town that is taken over by the Nazis. After Eric Toresen (Muni) sees a friend murdered and another one (Collins) severely beaten, he gets some of the townspeople to form a resistance group. When he realizes that the Germans are preparing for a huge air strike against England, he is determined to get the information to the right people in England and join the fight.Very good film, if a little slow in spots. Muni gives an excellent performance as the bold Toreson, and Ray Collins, Lt. Tragg of Perry Mason, is cast against type as one who vocally opposes the Nazis, and he is very good. This was probably his favorite role, as it's so different from his standard tough cop or crooked politician role. Lillian Gish doesn't have much to do, sadly, as his wife. Neither does Anna Lee, as the daughter of a British military man (Hardwicke) who falls for Muni.Someone commenting here said that this film, and probably by inference, Edge of Darkness, exaggerates the role of the underground in Europe, that most Europeans were passive during the war, afraid of reprisal. That may have been true in some areas - Germany most definitely - but that was not true in France and Norway, both of which had formidable resistance movements. Some people don't like bullies.
Reviewed by intelearts 7 / 10

Good take on the Norwegian spirit

With the action coming in the last 20 minutes this isn't just a film about commandos. It is also a film about the Norwegians and how they, without commandos or training, but rather through gumption and nous, became a thorn in the side of the German occupation.The simple plot of how a mild mannered Norwegian becomes a patriot is well told and they are many nice touches showing the Norwegian life at the time.All in all a good war film, and one that while typical of the period has a heart and spirit about it that make it good viewing.If it comes around and you like WWII films then catch it, it's well worth the time.
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