kryck Review of The Mortal Storm

The Mortal Storm (1940)

A Blunt,Powerful Drama With Superior Performances By All

[9/10 · 25 July 2001]

***SLIGHT SPOILERS*** "The Mortal Storm"(1940)was one of the few films, before the outbreak of World War II in America,that tackled the subject of the Nazi regime in Germany. The only other truly memorable film about this subject made in the same year was "The Great Dictator",except this was a black comedy poking fun at Adolf Hitler and definitely isn't as powerful as the other film. "The Mortal Storm" has to be one of the most gripping films you'll ever see and should be shown in high schools and universities around the world to show students how easily the Nazis could manipulate people into thinking as they did. The film is based on a novel by Phyllis Bottome and tells the story of Professor Roth(Frank Morgan)and his family living a quiet and peaceful life until they overhear that Hitler has become chancellor of Germany on the radio. His sons and his daughter's(Margaret Sullavan)fiance(Robert Young)are excited when they hear that war is soon going to begin in Germany and are eager to do their part. The rest of the family and a close friend,Martin Bretiner(James Stewart)aren't that thrilled about the news. They feel that Hitler's views on the human race are wrong and that people should have the right to think as they believe. Unfortunately,this bit of advice doesn't stop them. The Roth family is torn apart forever. The professor's(Morgan) sons leave home,because they don't want to be associated with people that disagree with the Nazis. The professor is also arrested for talking about scientific human facts, in a classroom,that the Nazis find as untrue. Freya(Sullavan) breaks her engagement with Fritz(Young)and falls deeply in love with Martin(Stewart). Their lives become filled with danger as well. As a viewer,you see people struggling to survive in a cruel world as best as they can. The performances in this film are extraordinary. James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan are fine as a couple in love at the wrong time. Frank Morgan is poignant and gives a memorable performance as Professor Roth. Maria Ousapenska is great,as usual,as Stewart's wise and dedicated mother. She dominates every scene she's in. Also, good are Robert Young in an unconventional role as a Nazi officer and a young Robert Stack as one of Morgan's sons. The ending is tragic, but conveys a strong message. I highly recommend this movie to anyone. I give it 9 stars out of 10.