In the early days of World War II, a German U-boat is sunk in Canada's Hudson Bay. Hoping to evade capture, a small band of German soldiers led by commanding officer Lieutenant Hirth attempts to cross the border into the United States, which has not yet entered the war and is officially neutral. Along the way, the German soldiers encounter brave men such as a French-Canadian fur trapper, Johnnie, a leader of a Hutterite farming community, Peter, an author, Philip and a soldier, Andy Brock.
Direction
Powell turns geography into antagonist
Cinematography
Canadian wilderness as vast, indifferent witness
Acting
Olivier's outrageous French-Canadian accent
Director
Michael Powell
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Powell and Pressburger wrote this to shame America into joining the war; it partially worked.
Olivier allegedly took the role solely to fund his production of Henry V, explaining the accent crimes.
GB
