Review of 49th Parallel (1941) by Jonathan M — 14 Apr 2009
In the 49th Parallel, a nazi u-boat off the coast of Canada is sunk and the crew must fight their way down to the amnesty of the United States. It's a simple premise, and one used chiefly to demonstrate the evils of nazism.
As the nazis trek across Canada, they are shown nothing but hospitality, and they thumb their noses at it the entire time. When they're not killing their hosts, their killing each other for wanting to desert.
It seems like it would be more logical to try and blend in with your surroundings if you're on the lam and trying to escape through a foreign countryside, but these nazis just can't help themselves, they're brutal gangsters and they are compelled to kill as much as possible.
They're presented with a chance to destroy some original artwork by Picasso and Matisse, or destroy some original manuscripts, which is like waving candy in front of a baby, you don't have to ask twice.
Sure, it's a little cartoonish, and yes, its war fantasy with the emphasis on fantasy, but the lead nazi does have a certain amount of depth. He's read "Mein Kampf" and believes in the Hitler reich.
Unfortunately, any humanity that surfaces in the course of this film gets quickly over-shadowed by the cartoonish nature of the nazis. It's a shame because there are some fine performances here.
This review of 49th Parallel (1941) was written by Jonathan M on 14 Apr 2009.
49th Parallel has generally received positive reviews.
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