Review of American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally (2021) by Tvjerry — 03 Jun 2021

Axis Sally was the name of the character who broadcast entertainment and Nazi propaganda to Americans at home and in the military during World War II. This film follows the woman (Meadow Williams) who was brought back to the States to be tried for treason.

Williams’ portrayal is flat, lacking any real charisma as Sally or much emotion as the real person. However, it’s Al Pacino as her lawyer, who gets to soak up all the attention with his now-typical crusty eccentric portrayal.

The narrative jumps regularly between the Berlin events and the US trial (and how did she maintain access to all that makeup and those many dresses while in prison?), but never creates much dramatic momentum.

It’s interesting as a historical curiosity, but rather lackluster as a movie.