"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.
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.