Cheap 49th Parallel (Video) (Leslie Howard, Laurence Olivier) (Michael Powell) Price

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Customer Reviews of 49th Parallel

Old War Time Classic
While it bit heavy-handed for today perhaps, this fine movie provides some interestig viewing and amusing portraits. Olivier's cameo as a Qubecois is highly hilarious, and worth seeing for its humor. The German sub-crew are portrayed as hardend Nazi's as they struugle across the depths of Canada attempting to reach a still neautral US. War time scenes of Canada and Canadian outlook at the time are interesting, but will probably be lost on most viewers today. Leslie Howard does a classic scripted scene as a neutral rustic turned into anti-Nazi patriot. Again, much here is pretty standard fare for 1940s war propaganda films, but the acting is solid, and the Germans are not all shown as fanatics. Worth seeing as a period piece, for some good acting, and for lesser known roles by well known actors.

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The Germans are coming! The Germans are coming!!
Michael Powell directed this odd wartime propaganda film, set in Canada, before the American entry into WWII. A German U-boat has infiltrated the Canadian coastline, seeking to attack and subvert our neighbors to the North, before Uncle sam can wake up and get into the fight. The Canucks make short work of the Nazi, sub, sinking it in Hudson Bay, but a reconnaissance team, now stranded in Newfoundland, sets out to smuggle themselves into the US, where, sheltered by American neutrality, they intend on spreading Nazi propaganda, or perhaps even blowing up the American capitol, or some other act of terrorism. Viewed in the wake of the September 11th, 2001 bombings, this was a remarkable film, particularly as the German strategy was specifically to subvert the openness and freedom of the "decadent" democracies, and turn the rule of law into a weapon against them. Sound familiar? Two sequences bear the unique Powellian stamp of the director's odd, askew sense of humor. The first is a prolonged "Witness"-like interlude in a rural Mennonite community, where the gentleness and loving acceptance of the farmers threaten to upend the authority of the fanatical German leader. Once he manages to peel his men away from the embrace of pacifism and equality, the commandant leads his men Westward in a reckless race towards the border in the Pacific Northwest. The film's most brilliant scene unfolds as the manhunt traps them in an "Indian Days" celebration at a national park: when the police take over the PA system and address the crowd to warn them of the hidden spies, the Germans shrink with terror as they are described to the tiniest, most accurate detail. But the celebrants -- typical consumers of spectacle and passive entertainment -- don't even bother to look sideways at the sweating, tense terrorists in their midst. Why bother? Isn't that someone else's job? This is a fun film, both an historical oddity and prescient reminder that wicked people may always prey on the goodwill of those they see as "weak." Recommended!

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Great!!
This film is genuinely great. Eric Portman is absolutely
perfect as a Nazi. Niall McGinniss is terrific as a "good"
Nazi. Leslie Howard is wasted. Laurence Olivier, a really
overrated actor, is completely ridiculous (what an AWFUL accent).
The scenery and music are really good for a war picture. Concentrate on Portman, ignore Olivier, and enjoy a great movie.