Review of Five Graves to Cairo (1943) by Garrett C — 15 Jun 2015

Fantastic opening that the rest of the film never really tops. But this nice little wartime thriller works on multiple levels. Propaganda film, yes, with some "end justifies the means philosophy" but also a decent spy thriller with a mistaken identity twist. Tone strikes an slightly imperfect tone (sorry) - he's ok but a tad generic/forced as the hero. But the rest of the cast excel, especially von Stroheim hamming it up as Rommel, and Tamiroff as the flustered, decent hotel owner.

The only thing that doesn't really work are some of the broader attempts at humour - they sit and bit oddly with the dark and cynical tone of the rest of the film. Strangely overlooked effort on Billy Wilder's resume - it came just before two of his classics - Double Indemnity and Lost Weekend. I guess those had better scripts and casts, and Billy was still honing his directorial craft here - but nevertheless - the lensing is often stunning, and very clever, compared to most films of the era. And typically for him, the film is laced with dry, wry dialogue, which he captures in some nice exchanges.

Milder Wilder, but even milder Wilder is well worth it.