Real monsters really existed, and while Dracula, Bluebeard and all those mad doctors were nefarious, none were as evil as the Nazi leader he plays here, thriving on the misery of the Czech's in this quaint village. No non-Nazi escapes from his inhumane treatment, and with pleasure, he has a priest shot, drives a young girl to suicide (and then mocks her choice for freedom), and sends innocent men to the Russian front. But like others in occupied Europe, the people stand up and take matters into their own hands. As history has shown, the Nazi's won many battles, but ultimately lost the war and their immortal souls.
As I scream "Die, Nazi, die!" one more time at a viewing of this as the villains get what they deserve (wishing it was nastier and slow and painful), this elaborate propaganda film shows the atrocities. Filmed by the low budget PRC but released by MGM's B unit to give it bigger build- up, this has so much going for it. Future Broadway legend Patricia Morison is a fine young heroine who refuses to back down from teaching youngsters the Czech national anthem, while Ralph Morgan is outstanding as her father who takes things into his hands.
Ludwig Stossel, a Nazi victim in "All Through the Night" plays a traitor to his own people and pays for his crimes against humanity. The legendary dramatic stage actress Blanche Yurka has several key scenes as a town matron, but is surprisingly unbilled. Every role is cast perfectly, and the technical achievements are brilliant as well. As directed by a young Douglas Sirk, this ranks as one of the great world war II anti-Nazi films that reminds us that the fascists of the world will pay one way or another, yet the world never seems to learn that lesson.
As I scream "Die, Nazi, die!" one more time at a viewing of this as the villains get what they deserve (wishing it was nastier and slow and painful), this elaborate propaganda film shows the atrocities. Filmed by the low budget PRC but released by MGM's B unit to give it bigger build- up, this has so much going for it. Future Broadway legend Patricia Morison is a fine young heroine who refuses to back down from teaching youngsters the Czech national anthem, while Ralph Morgan is outstanding as her father who takes things into his hands.
Ludwig Stossel, a Nazi victim in "All Through the Night" plays a traitor to his own people and pays for his crimes against humanity. The legendary dramatic stage actress Blanche Yurka has several key scenes as a town matron, but is surprisingly unbilled. Every role is cast perfectly, and the technical achievements are brilliant as well. As directed by a young Douglas Sirk, this ranks as one of the great world war II anti-Nazi films that reminds us that the fascists of the world will pay one way or another, yet the world never seems to learn that lesson.