Review of Saboteur (1942) by Ken D — 23 Nov 2009

This odd thriller is riddled with plotholes and dated by its overly-patriotic themes, but Saboteur still has moments of gripping suspense and impactful cinematography thanks to Hitchcock's unfaultering genius behind the camera.

The larger faults are in the script, where the wrongfully accused Barry Kane has encounters with highly enlightened human oddities (blind folks and circus freaks) who identify with his rejection. These sequences are ungraceful and only provide some overworked symbolism that isn't befitting the political thriller outline.

The beautifully executed inciting incident provides a tapestry of clues and events that could formulate an intelligent plot, but instead they are abandoned and the story is widdled down into the thinly motivated persuit of one man, the saboteur.

The acting isn't too hot either, minus the eerie antogonist. Saboteur is a weakling, but in the end saved by Hitchcock's visual effects and devices of suspense.