Review of 49th Parallel (1941) by Robby R — 03 Jun 2011

I'm typically a fan of the works of Powell and Pressburger, but I can't say that 49th Parallel has particularly aged well. It is a ridiculous piece of propaganda about a group of German U-Boat crewmembers who survive in Canada after their vessel is blown to pieces.

Their commander is a Nazi to the core and he and his charge of 5 other goose-steppers trek through the true north first in northern Manitoba, into the prairies, out to Banff National Park and southern Ontario.

It was nice to see my home country and so many places I have visited in one film and 70 years ago. As usual the Inuit (or Eskimo as they are called here) are treated with disgusting disrespect that makes some moments in the film cringe-inducing.

It is quite interesting to see so many stars of the era in minor roles - Olivier as a French Canadian fur trapper, Leslie Howard as a writer in the Canadian wilderness and Raymond Massey as an imperfect soldier.

The film's strength is how it examines each of the Nazis as separate individuals and how they have become involved in such an evil empire which provides contrast against the all the peaceable trusting people they meet in Canada.

This is the work of great filmmakers, but definitely not in their finest hour. Still, it is well worth seeing.