Review of Watch on the Rhine (1943) by Mark S — 07 Nov 2009

I admire the sentiments of this film and it no doubt served its purpose as good propaganda, but it's very much of its time and isn't particularly great to watch. Its messages are timeless but its characters aren't.

Kurt isn't that believable a character because he's essentially just a vessel for the viewpoints that the writers were trying to get across. But Paul Lukas does at least give an excellent performance in the role, his mannerisms and appearance such that he genuinely looks worn-down by his battles against fascism, and so he was probably deserving of his Oscar win because of that.

The first half of the film set around the snooty upper-class American society doesn't really sit well with what later follows but again it was all about the overall purpose rather than its artistic quality.

Bette Davis is solid as Kurt's wife but is very much playing a supporting role.