This slightly off-kilter Columbia programmer stars Van Johnson as a Nazi double agent who first wins the confidence of the American POWs he's housed with and is then sent on a secret mission to infiltrate U.S. forces during late 1944's Ardennes offensive (more commonly known as The Battle of the Bulge). Johnson does his best as a bad guy, though the film makes an unreasonable stretch to make him sympathetic towards the end, and Dick York is quite good as an army sergeant thrust into a command position by the iniquitous actions of the German infiltrators. As always with a Sam Katzman production, the film tries to mask its low budget with plenty of stock footage, but it also benefits from location footage in The Netherlands. It's no classic, but is a pleasant enough diversion that also features Kerwin Mathews in a rare performance as a really, really bad guy.
16 Reviews
The Last Gasp Of The Third Reich
bkoganbing2 December 2011
During the 40s and 50s at MGM the all American GI whether it was Battleground, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, A Guy Named Joe, or Command Decision the role inevitably went to Van Johnson. And he's all American here in The Last Blitzkrieg as well, as all American as Peter Graves was in Stalag 17.
Not only was Van Johnson cast against type, but so was Kerwin Matthews as they play a pair of English speaking Germans who are masquerading as regular GIs during the Battle Of The Bulge. The idea being to disrupt American battle plans and cause havoc behind the lines. It was a last gasp maneuver of the Third Reich, much as The whole Battle Of The Bulge was just that.
Johnson was doing this work already as a spy among American POWs just as Peter Graves was in Stalag 17. But he gets called to this assignment and he and Matthews and two others are sent together.
For a bit he gets some good luck as he keeps the name and ID he had at the prison camp because he runs into Dick York and Larry Storch who were in the same camp, but who were two that managed to escape. They vouch for Johnson, but then some rotten luck descends on the platoon where York is the sergeant.
Johnson is a torn man, he's really not a National Socialist and thinks this is all for nothing. Matthews however is a true believer and he as well as Johnson is cast against type. And Kerwin Matthews delivers a pretty good performance in the part.
If it were not for being the first Darrin Stevens on Bewitched, this might be Dick York's career role as well, though some would opt for what he did in Inherit The Wind. Of all in the cast I was most impressed with what he did. Especially since on Bewitched he's always the butt of the comedy there. York happens to be a soldier of German background who speaks that fluently which comes in very handy.
The Last Blitzkrieg was shot in the Netherlands where a lot of this action really happened. Nice use of newsreel battle films was used and the players are fine. For a Sam Katzman production this one was all right.
Not only was Van Johnson cast against type, but so was Kerwin Matthews as they play a pair of English speaking Germans who are masquerading as regular GIs during the Battle Of The Bulge. The idea being to disrupt American battle plans and cause havoc behind the lines. It was a last gasp maneuver of the Third Reich, much as The whole Battle Of The Bulge was just that.
Johnson was doing this work already as a spy among American POWs just as Peter Graves was in Stalag 17. But he gets called to this assignment and he and Matthews and two others are sent together.
For a bit he gets some good luck as he keeps the name and ID he had at the prison camp because he runs into Dick York and Larry Storch who were in the same camp, but who were two that managed to escape. They vouch for Johnson, but then some rotten luck descends on the platoon where York is the sergeant.
Johnson is a torn man, he's really not a National Socialist and thinks this is all for nothing. Matthews however is a true believer and he as well as Johnson is cast against type. And Kerwin Matthews delivers a pretty good performance in the part.
If it were not for being the first Darrin Stevens on Bewitched, this might be Dick York's career role as well, though some would opt for what he did in Inherit The Wind. Of all in the cast I was most impressed with what he did. Especially since on Bewitched he's always the butt of the comedy there. York happens to be a soldier of German background who speaks that fluently which comes in very handy.
The Last Blitzkrieg was shot in the Netherlands where a lot of this action really happened. Nice use of newsreel battle films was used and the players are fine. For a Sam Katzman production this one was all right.
Take it in it's context & history
hbaird-609-7165754 July 2015
Those with a keen interest in WWII and overall movie history can appreciate this effort. Although there are the "never would happen" situations, such as the officer's rank insignia's on their battlefield helmets being displayed in a nice bright white, the main storyline of German infiltrators into American lines is based in historical fact.
Something that the movie touches on is the fact that many Americans who fought in the war were of German decent and did so while having many relatives who still lived in Germany. It is my guess that this was mentioned in the film due to the fact that the director, Arthur Dreifuss, was born in Germany and moved to the U.S. before the war in 1928. First he worked in the entertainment industry as a dance instructor and then, beginning in 1939, in Hollywood where he made numerous B-level films including the "Boston Blackie" series.
Entertainment historians will appreciate seeing Dick York, who played the original Darren Stevens in the "Bewitched" television series, and Larry Storch, who played Corporal Agarne in the T.V. series "F Troop", in fairly prominent roles playing foot soldiers. Storch's southern accent is especially amusing and those familiar with Storch's Agarne character in F-Troop will see a tinge of it when, upon learning of the prospect of German infiltrators, he exclaims "Don't talk that way - it's disheartening!".
Perfect for a rainy weekend afternoon.
Something that the movie touches on is the fact that many Americans who fought in the war were of German decent and did so while having many relatives who still lived in Germany. It is my guess that this was mentioned in the film due to the fact that the director, Arthur Dreifuss, was born in Germany and moved to the U.S. before the war in 1928. First he worked in the entertainment industry as a dance instructor and then, beginning in 1939, in Hollywood where he made numerous B-level films including the "Boston Blackie" series.
Entertainment historians will appreciate seeing Dick York, who played the original Darren Stevens in the "Bewitched" television series, and Larry Storch, who played Corporal Agarne in the T.V. series "F Troop", in fairly prominent roles playing foot soldiers. Storch's southern accent is especially amusing and those familiar with Storch's Agarne character in F-Troop will see a tinge of it when, upon learning of the prospect of German infiltrators, he exclaims "Don't talk that way - it's disheartening!".
Perfect for a rainy weekend afternoon.
" I am really very sorry..."
Brucey_D20 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Von Kroner, the son of a Nazi General who speaks fluent American English, is first used as a spy inside a WWII German POW camp, and later as part of an infiltration battalion of German troops (who were disguised as Allied ones) during the 'Battle of the Bulge' in the winter of 1944. Although a loyal German soldier, he finds his conscience increasingly at odds with the methods and attitudes of his German comrades.
This film was crisply shot in the Netherlands in B&W and uses archive footage to supplement the action. It isn't a big budget film, yet manages to come across pretty well; the production values are pretty good (considering) and the plot is fairly coherent. It is unusual to find a production of this sort that follows the action from the perspective of someone on the German side.
The events portrayed are loosely based on actual events. Otto Skorzeny did indeed lead a battalion of disguised German troops during the 'Battle of the Bulge' as part of what was called 'Operation Grief' (NB this should be spelt G-R-E-I-F in this case but the ruddy stupid spellchecker won't let me....Grrr). These troops created havoc out of all proportion to their actual numbers behind Allied lines; the damage they did directly was bad enough but even American Generals were occasionally held up as a result of the increased security checks that were imposed once the presence of these infiltrators was known.
Similarly, that some allied prisoners were shot out of hand by German forces during this battle is also something that is based on historic fact.
The film does have some obvious flaws however; the weather is basically too good; it doesn't ever look like winter 1944, and there is talk of foggy conditions (which prevented the Allied air superiority from having an effect for some time during this battle) but not much actual fog on view. The handset radios they use are (I think) Model AN/PRC-6 which would have been correct in the Korean War but not WWII. No soldier in their right mind would have bright white marks on their helmets in a war zone, either.
Several of the 'Germans' are played by Dutchmen; their English-speaking accents (they are meant to be speaking English in the film BTW) are clearly not typical German accents, which I found a bit distracting; I kept wondering if the Dutchmen were going to be revealed as spies any minute.... I guess if you have not heard so many Dutchmen speaking English in their characteristic way, it wouldn't worry you as much as it did me. Similarly although I am no great linguist, I doubt that many native German speakers would find Von Kroner's(Van Johnson's) German accent terribly convincing either, but at least he has a go.
Some folk may find the ending of the film somewhat unbelievable; a plot twist too far perhaps. Maybe; I thought it made more sense than many of the other possible endings, especially bearing in mind Von Kroner's battle with his own conscience and his reaction to Sgt. Ludwig's comments about his motivations and his relatives.
Anyway, overall this is a better than average budget war movie of this vintage. Some folk would say 'skip it' but I would say it is worth watching.
This film was crisply shot in the Netherlands in B&W and uses archive footage to supplement the action. It isn't a big budget film, yet manages to come across pretty well; the production values are pretty good (considering) and the plot is fairly coherent. It is unusual to find a production of this sort that follows the action from the perspective of someone on the German side.
The events portrayed are loosely based on actual events. Otto Skorzeny did indeed lead a battalion of disguised German troops during the 'Battle of the Bulge' as part of what was called 'Operation Grief' (NB this should be spelt G-R-E-I-F in this case but the ruddy stupid spellchecker won't let me....Grrr). These troops created havoc out of all proportion to their actual numbers behind Allied lines; the damage they did directly was bad enough but even American Generals were occasionally held up as a result of the increased security checks that were imposed once the presence of these infiltrators was known.
Similarly, that some allied prisoners were shot out of hand by German forces during this battle is also something that is based on historic fact.
The film does have some obvious flaws however; the weather is basically too good; it doesn't ever look like winter 1944, and there is talk of foggy conditions (which prevented the Allied air superiority from having an effect for some time during this battle) but not much actual fog on view. The handset radios they use are (I think) Model AN/PRC-6 which would have been correct in the Korean War but not WWII. No soldier in their right mind would have bright white marks on their helmets in a war zone, either.
Several of the 'Germans' are played by Dutchmen; their English-speaking accents (they are meant to be speaking English in the film BTW) are clearly not typical German accents, which I found a bit distracting; I kept wondering if the Dutchmen were going to be revealed as spies any minute.... I guess if you have not heard so many Dutchmen speaking English in their characteristic way, it wouldn't worry you as much as it did me. Similarly although I am no great linguist, I doubt that many native German speakers would find Von Kroner's(Van Johnson's) German accent terribly convincing either, but at least he has a go.
Some folk may find the ending of the film somewhat unbelievable; a plot twist too far perhaps. Maybe; I thought it made more sense than many of the other possible endings, especially bearing in mind Von Kroner's battle with his own conscience and his reaction to Sgt. Ludwig's comments about his motivations and his relatives.
Anyway, overall this is a better than average budget war movie of this vintage. Some folk would say 'skip it' but I would say it is worth watching.
Could have been better
counterrevolutionary6 February 2003
This story of a German commando team operating behind American lines during the Battle of the Bulge has a fair amount of potential, but it never quite comes together, partially due to some less-than-stellar performances (Larry Storch, I'm looking in your direction) and a silly Hollywood ending.
Crisis of Conscience.
hitchcockthelegend25 August 2015
The 23rd Infantry, U.S. Army, 1944 - Ardennes, Holland. Something is not quite right with this band of soldiers...
Directed by Arthur Dreifuss, written by Lou Morheim, The Last Blitzkrieg stars Van Johnson, Dick York and Kerwin Matthews. Filmed on location in Holland, music is by Hugo de Groot and cinematography by Ted Scaife.
Poor. The story is actually a good one, coming at things from a German undercover perspective, it's nice to see the other side of the coin. Unfortunately, with the exception of York, the acting is borderline farcical. The makers pad out the picture with newsreel footage, while asking us to wait till the last quarter of film before we get some acting action worthy of the title (competently staged). But just when you think you could possible forgive it its sins, it pulls a dead rabbit out of the hat and delivers a turn of events that quite frankly stinks. Nice to see proper use of radio protocol for a change though! 4/10
Directed by Arthur Dreifuss, written by Lou Morheim, The Last Blitzkrieg stars Van Johnson, Dick York and Kerwin Matthews. Filmed on location in Holland, music is by Hugo de Groot and cinematography by Ted Scaife.
Poor. The story is actually a good one, coming at things from a German undercover perspective, it's nice to see the other side of the coin. Unfortunately, with the exception of York, the acting is borderline farcical. The makers pad out the picture with newsreel footage, while asking us to wait till the last quarter of film before we get some acting action worthy of the title (competently staged). But just when you think you could possible forgive it its sins, it pulls a dead rabbit out of the hat and delivers a turn of events that quite frankly stinks. Nice to see proper use of radio protocol for a change though! 4/10
War film with authenticity and an unusual story
Leofwine_draca6 November 2016
THE LAST BLITZKRIEG works as it offers something a little different from the usual American WW2 film in terms of plot. The main characters in the movie are actually Nazi soldiers who are disguised as American troops and sent on an intelligence-gathering mission during the Battle of the Bulge. Therefore the characters we have to identify with are actually antiheroes and even the bad guys while the heroes are the enemy.
The film was shot on a low budget in the Netherlands by producer Sam Katzman so it has more authenticity to it than most. Van Johnson is the lead actor and does well with a complex role; that he comes off kindly and likable despite everything is a testament to his acting prowess. Kerwin Mathews is also here too and playing a slimy villain; in every other film I've seen him playing heroic characters so it made a nice change of pace for the actor.
This film has a short running time which flies past without ever flagging and there's plenty of suspense inherent in the set-up. Some have criticised the climax as being unrealistic but I found it quite fitting even if it is morally heavy-handed. War fans looking for something a little out of the ordinary are sure to enjoy the plot twists and turns of THE LAST BLITZKRIEG.
The film was shot on a low budget in the Netherlands by producer Sam Katzman so it has more authenticity to it than most. Van Johnson is the lead actor and does well with a complex role; that he comes off kindly and likable despite everything is a testament to his acting prowess. Kerwin Mathews is also here too and playing a slimy villain; in every other film I've seen him playing heroic characters so it made a nice change of pace for the actor.
This film has a short running time which flies past without ever flagging and there's plenty of suspense inherent in the set-up. Some have criticised the climax as being unrealistic but I found it quite fitting even if it is morally heavy-handed. War fans looking for something a little out of the ordinary are sure to enjoy the plot twists and turns of THE LAST BLITZKRIEG.
2.5 out of 5 action rating
scheelj22 July 2012
Skip it – This B-quality WWII movie stars Van Johnson as a German soldier recruited to spy on the Americans because of his fluent English. He begins the movie by infiltrating a POW camp and foiling an escape attempt. He is then dropped behind enemy lines during the Battle of the Bulge to disrupt the Allies and prepare the way for the German advance. The message of this film seemed to be that there were millions of Germans who were good and decent people who didn't want war either. Which is true, but this movie is mediocre at best. The acting is horrible and there is no combat until the last 30 minutes. And the ending is just plain unreasonable.
Not as bad as some said
Marlburian4 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't find this film at all bad. Some have remarked on the amount of stock footage, but in the version I saw on TV there wasn't that much.
To my untutored eye it looked reasonably authentic, notably radio procedures and the way Sergeant Ludwig deployed his men for the attack, complete with a series of hand signals.
But I too noted the discordant white markings on the helmets. The other jarring scene was when soldiers clustered around as a couple of their comrades searched for a booby trap.
I'm never keen on contrived female inclusion in films and at least Lise Bourdin's role was a small one.
I expected redemption from the Van Johnson character but, as others have suggested, what finally happened was a bit much to accept.
To my untutored eye it looked reasonably authentic, notably radio procedures and the way Sergeant Ludwig deployed his men for the attack, complete with a series of hand signals.
But I too noted the discordant white markings on the helmets. The other jarring scene was when soldiers clustered around as a couple of their comrades searched for a booby trap.
I'm never keen on contrived female inclusion in films and at least Lise Bourdin's role was a small one.
I expected redemption from the Van Johnson character but, as others have suggested, what finally happened was a bit much to accept.
A war time hoax.
michaelRokeefe15 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This World War II film is directed by Arthur Dreifuss and produced by Sam Katzman. A group of Americans make a well planned escape from a German Prisoner of War Camp. One of them is not what he seems to the GIs. Lt. Von Kroner(Van Johnson) is a German known to the Americans as Sgt. Richardson. who is under cover spying on the prisoners and honing his American English and slang. Von Kroger is told he is leaving the camp as part of a top secret project. After the escape, Von Kroger will join a group dressing in American uniforms to confuse enemy forces, as he spearheads an objective of sabotage actually aiding the German forces in their attack.
Johnson is supported by: Kerwin Matthews, Leon Askin, Larry Storch, Brett Halsey, Chris Baay, Han Bentz van den Berg, Lisa Bourdin, Ton van Duinhoven, Robert Boon and Dick York, who also narrates the film.
Johnson is supported by: Kerwin Matthews, Leon Askin, Larry Storch, Brett Halsey, Chris Baay, Han Bentz van den Berg, Lisa Bourdin, Ton van Duinhoven, Robert Boon and Dick York, who also narrates the film.
An unintentional laugh riot?!
Vagabear24 September 2002
I just saw this picture screened in an old 35mm release print. I thought this would be a companion piece to that other WWII Van Johnson bore-fest, THE ENEMY GENERAL. However, this one was hysterical! Right from the get-go the acting, as well as the tone of the production was broad and inept (verging on HOGAN'S HEROES territory) all the while parading as a serious WWII yarn. Watch for Dick York and a scenery chewing Larry Storch (pre-"Bewitched" and "F-Troop" respectively.) And BTW, the stark black and white photography was excellent (when not resorting to stock footage of the actual war.) Definitely a "so bad it's good
"There were /good/ Germans, you know."
grizzledgeezer2 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Or at least, semi-, sort-of, not-so-bad ones. In this case it's Van Johnson, the son of a major German officer, and a ranking officer himself. He's a double agent disguised as an American, sent with others to wreak havoc behind British and American lines.
Johnson is an "old-school" soldier, not altogether sure Germany is doing the right thing. Contrary to what one reviewer states, his ambiguity is shown throughout the film. So when Dick York tells Johnson he (York) is treating him well, not because he (York) is ethnically German, but because Johnson is "a human being", you know exactly how the film will end. Predictability is the death of good drama, and the film dies here.
It's unfortunate, because the story could have been a deeper character study, with a more-conflicted Johnson and a less-predictable -- perhaps even ambiguous -- ending.
In case you're inclined to give this film the benefit of the doubt (quality-wise) -- don't. "Stalag 17" covered much the same ground, and did it many times better.
Johnson is an "old-school" soldier, not altogether sure Germany is doing the right thing. Contrary to what one reviewer states, his ambiguity is shown throughout the film. So when Dick York tells Johnson he (York) is treating him well, not because he (York) is ethnically German, but because Johnson is "a human being", you know exactly how the film will end. Predictability is the death of good drama, and the film dies here.
It's unfortunate, because the story could have been a deeper character study, with a more-conflicted Johnson and a less-predictable -- perhaps even ambiguous -- ending.
In case you're inclined to give this film the benefit of the doubt (quality-wise) -- don't. "Stalag 17" covered much the same ground, and did it many times better.
And also probably the last best Sam Katzman production
searchanddestroy-127 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I have this film since 1989 in my library, and I watched it today for the second time. Even so long ago, I loved it. I felt the same thing as when I discovered EAGLE HAS LANDED, starring Michael Caine, telling the German point of view about a WW2 story. I love German point of view. The point of view of them who were, after all, the "bad guys" of the war. Those who were probably the best soldiers in the world and also who committed the worst crimes in the humanity history. That's interesting with German soldiers, ambivalence. And, again, I LOVE that.
Van Johnson plays here the "good" nazi soldier, and Kerwin Matthews the real "bad' one. The ugliest character he ever made, as far as I know, even worst than BARQUERO, where he was the Warren Oates's sidekick.
Yes, it's probably the best Sam Katzman's film ever made, the most interesting, with EARTH VS FLYING SAUCERS and some Fred F Sears' crime movies.
And I also appreciated that in the final sequence, when Van Johnson speaks German, there is no dubbing, he actually speaks German, the lips moves speak for him.
Van Johnson plays here the "good" nazi soldier, and Kerwin Matthews the real "bad' one. The ugliest character he ever made, as far as I know, even worst than BARQUERO, where he was the Warren Oates's sidekick.
Yes, it's probably the best Sam Katzman's film ever made, the most interesting, with EARTH VS FLYING SAUCERS and some Fred F Sears' crime movies.
And I also appreciated that in the final sequence, when Van Johnson speaks German, there is no dubbing, he actually speaks German, the lips moves speak for him.
Just when you thought you'd seen it all.
popplewell-snr7 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
OK this is no -The Great Escape or River Kwai but I recorded this film as a night time filler.The sort of film I dont mind falling to sleep to...I was wrong.I have seen all the WW2 films well most and this one came as a pleasant surprise..I always think of Van Johnson as a bit of a salesman who acted but in this he turned out a right nazi turned good guy at the end.Forget the stock footage we know its filler,and concentrate on the plot as this film has plenty.A lot more than films costing ten times the price to make I'll wager.Of worth is the part played by the guy from Bewitched a series that was a constant during my growing up years.Who did'nt envey Samanthas husband.Watch it you wont be sorry.Unless your like a couple of friends of mine that said "Being There" was a bit slow.jeez.
The Last Blitzkrieg review
JoeytheBrit15 April 2020
All-American Van Johnson plays against type as a German officer masquerading as a GI during the dying days of WWII in order to disrupt the advance of the allied forces. It's an unusual story rendered truly forgettable in the hands of Arthur Dreifuss, who doesn't have much of a clue when it comes to filming action scenes or building suspense.
Schlock from seasoned schlockmeisters Clover productions
rayxt28 April 2021
Hard to understand how Van Johnson got railroaded into this B-movie trash, except he was on the downhill grade by then and his agent had bills to pay.
As it happens he was involved with Clover Productions again.
Clover's enviable slate of schlock - some now total classics:
It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955) The Giant Claw (1957) Zombies of Mora Tau (1957) Don't Knock the Rock (1956) The Houston Story (1956) Rock Around the Clock (1956) New Orleans Uncensored (1955) The Enemy General (1960) The Werewolf (1956) Creature with the Atom Brain (1955)
Director Arthur Dreifuss, German by birth had an enviable B-movie list behind him, and certainly the background touched home with him. But obvious budget restrictions lead to basically intolerable errors: German officers with British Sten guns. Or German troops using Browning machineguns. Plus Arthur isn't a natural adept of the 'action genre'.
If they had a combat 'technical advisor' he was drunk on the job. NOBODY would last 10 seconds with this kind of 'action'.
On the other hand there would still be a large number of combat veterans from WW2 & Korea in 60's audiences, so anything more 'realistic' and brutal might cause traumatic memories to return they preferred to try to forget. (But if so, why go to a war movie???)
There's a message but like most of the swathe of 'Battle of The Bulge' outings from the 50's and later like the pitiful 'Ardennes Fury' (2014) why waste time even looking for them?
As it happens he was involved with Clover Productions again.
Clover's enviable slate of schlock - some now total classics:
It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955) The Giant Claw (1957) Zombies of Mora Tau (1957) Don't Knock the Rock (1956) The Houston Story (1956) Rock Around the Clock (1956) New Orleans Uncensored (1955) The Enemy General (1960) The Werewolf (1956) Creature with the Atom Brain (1955)
Director Arthur Dreifuss, German by birth had an enviable B-movie list behind him, and certainly the background touched home with him. But obvious budget restrictions lead to basically intolerable errors: German officers with British Sten guns. Or German troops using Browning machineguns. Plus Arthur isn't a natural adept of the 'action genre'.
If they had a combat 'technical advisor' he was drunk on the job. NOBODY would last 10 seconds with this kind of 'action'.
On the other hand there would still be a large number of combat veterans from WW2 & Korea in 60's audiences, so anything more 'realistic' and brutal might cause traumatic memories to return they preferred to try to forget. (But if so, why go to a war movie???)
There's a message but like most of the swathe of 'Battle of The Bulge' outings from the 50's and later like the pitiful 'Ardennes Fury' (2014) why waste time even looking for them?
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