Based on an explicitly anti-fascist novel from 1938, The Mortal Storm begins with “non-Aryan” (ie Jewish) Professor Rath (Frank Morgan) teaching medicine at a Bavarian University as Hitler is appointed Chancellor in 1933. Rath considers himself and his work to be non-political, and is complacent about the rise of Nazism. But his two stepsons both join the Hitler Youth, as does his daughter’s fiance. Repelled, Freya (Margaret Sullavan) finds comfort in the company of Martin (James Stewart), a pacifist who abhors Hitler’s beliefs…
See also: The Mad Dog of Europe, Three Comrades, and To Be Or Not To Be, all at VIFF Centre this week.
Magnificent […] One of the first Hollywood films to condemn Nazism.
Fred Camper, Chicago Reader
Maybe 85 years ago it might have been distracting to watch Hollywood movie stars playing Germans who slip into authoritarianism, but now their American accents just make the movie seem more sickeningly timely.
Sean Burns, Crooked Marquee
Frank Borzage
James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, Robert Young, Robert Stack, Frank Morgan
USA
1940
English
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Credits
Screenwriter
Claudine West, Hans Rameau, George Froeschel
Cinematography
William H. Daniels, Lloyd Knechtel, Leonard Smith
Editor
Elmo Veron
Original Music
Bronislau Kaper, Eugene Zador, Edward Kane
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