Infamous for its Flashback within a Flashback within a Flashback story construction, this outstanding WWII actioner still keeps its story clear as a bell thanks to Casey Robinson’s step-by-step plotting (no matter the route) and with director Michael Curtiz as unfazeable tour guide. (Take that INCEPTION!) A paean to the indomitable French Spirit (at least as seen in film), it ratchets up a resistance angle on a small group of strong-willed Devil’s Island escapees who risk it all in hope of returning home to fight the Nazis. There’s a PAPILLON meets DIRTY DOZEN aspect to the fanciful storyline, with most of the men (Peter Lorre, Philip Dorn, George Tobias, Helmut Dantine) legitimate convicted criminals of various levels of depravity, and only Humphrey Bogart’s crusading anti-Fascist newsman there on purely false charges. The physical production, loaded with clever effects (led by Jack Cosgrove), is still impressive (lots of miniatures where you don’t expect them), with cinematographer James Wong Howe on a tear, and even the language mix (mostly accented English, but with French tossed in for flavor) smart & unusual. A romantic angle between Bogie & Michèle Morgan gets short-shrift, but doesn’t harm things in this underrated Vive La France wowser. (NOTE: Be sure to check out the great jazz short JAMMIN’ THE BLUES, phenomenally lit by Robert Burks,, included on the DVD.)
DOUBLE-BILL: Lots of holdover talent from CASABLANCA/’42 in here, but this film is less followup to that classic romance than to ACTION IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC/’43 which came in-between. (see below)
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