tomsview Made during the middle of WW2, "Edge of Darkness" tells how the Norwegian citizens of Trollness, led by a resistance fighter played by Errol Flynn, rose up and liberated themselves from their Nazi oppressors.Although the film is probably as close to real events as "Cowboys vs. Zombies", historical accuracy wasn't the number one priority of the filmmakers. The film was a contribution by Warners Bros to the Allied war effort, and is so stirring that if people didn't rush off to enlist as soon as they left the theatre then they would have at least bought a stack of war bonds. There is a lot of movie magic in the film. Location footage was combined with scenes shot on the sound stage with a great deal of miniature work thrown in. This mixture gives the film a somewhat mythical quality; we are drawn into the isolated, almost claustrophobic world of Trollness, where the battle, physical and ideological, is fought between the Norwegians and the Germans.These days we accept Errol Flynn as a far better actor than was probably acknowledged back then when his activities in the bedroom seemed to blur any appreciation of his talent. He underplays here and is very believable as is Ann Sheridan.However, Helmut Dantine stole the show as the commander of the German garrison. Dantine could 'master race' with the best of them. Hollywood had some very effective actors who specialised in playing Nazis, but Dantine could out-heel click, out-Heil and out-face slap any of them. Although Nazis of that era could never be portrayed sympathetically, Dantine created a complex character, seemingly on the verge of a breakdown.The most memorable sequence in the film is the uprising at the end. Much of the action is filmed with the same brilliant tracking shots director Lewis Milestone used in "All Quiet on the Western Front" especially as the Norwegians advance against the German machine guns or fight them hand-to-hand in the streets.There are many dramatic speeches in the film. A number of characters espouse ideas that probably weighed against the screenwriters a little later in the McCarthy era. After all, the biggest traitor in the film is also the major symbol of capitalism - the wealthy owner of the local cannery.The battle was also fought in the film's music. Franz Waxman counterpoints soaring renditions of Norway's national anthem and hymns with bursts of "Deutschland über alles" - all adding to the richness of the film.I can imagine this would have been an uplifting film to see during WW2. Even now it's hard not to get a lump in the throat as the Norwegians break into song in defiance of the Nazis. Corny to some maybe, but for me it's a classy piece of filmmaking from Hollywood's Golden Age.

oldblackandwhite Edge Of Darkness is one of the most underrated movies by one of the most underrated directors, Lewis Milestone. This World War Two "propaganda" piece or morale builder rises far above its genre in the hands of the cinematic master best known for his magisterial World War One picture All Quiet On The Western Front. The story of a revolt brewing against Nazi occupiers by the people of a Norwegian fishing village, scripted by Robert Rossen, is reeled out in Milestone's fluid, sensuous cinematic style with spellbinding suspense from beginning to end. Sets are first rate, with the magic of Old Hollywood art transforming the California coast into a misty Scandinavian fjord.Leading man Errol Flynn turns in perhaps his best job of acting. His dashing image is completely lost in the role of a humble fisherman not entirely confident as the leader of the local Resistance movement. No dashing uniform here, just a pea coat and a plain merchant sailor's cap. And no mustache! Flynn and leading lady Ann Sheridan both turn in the solid, understated performances their roles called for, but it is a superb cast of supporting players that really shines in this one. One of the great charms of this memorable movie is the rich character development amongst the supporting parts. Walter Huston, as the town doctor trying to sit the fence, and Judith Anderson, as a Resistance worker hopelessly in love with a German soldier, are dominating as always. But the show is practically stolen by Roman Bohnen, as a henpecked, middle-aged store keeper with dreams of glory, and the ubiquitous Henry Brandon, as a suave SS officer who may not be all he seems. Helmut Dantine, a refugee Austrian anti-Nazi in real life, plays the German commandant with razor-edge ruthlessness. Likewise outstanding are Ruth Gordon as the doctor's sadly unbalanced wife, Charles Dingle as her Quissling brother, John Beal as her wavering Quissling son, and Nancy Coleman as the commandant's frightened Polish mistress. Monte Blue, Frank Wilcox, Art Bridge, and Morris Carnovsky add their always reliable presences. Thanks to consummate acting skill, Rossen's intelligent script, and Milestone's precise direction, you will come to know these characters as well as your neighbors by the shattering end of this two hour movie.Franz Waxman's florid score themed on Martin Luther's stirring hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is My God" with snatches from Wagner sweeps the action along to a rousing climax.Sid Hickox is credited for the sublime cinematography, but as I have stated elsewhere (see my review of The General Died At Dawn), Milestone's graphic statement was the same no matter who was behind the camera or in the editing room. Sweeping camera, silky smooth scene changes with creative dissolves, panning mise-en-scene were all the master's trademarks -- much imitated and highly influential on the film noir style that came to dominate pictures of all genres during the 1940's. Notice how at the beginning of the final scene in Edge of Darkness the flapping flag dissolves into a sheet of paper in a typewriter!Edge of Darkness is a classic of the war/intrigue genre and one of the great movies of all time. First rate Old Hollywood entertainment from the master Lewis Milestone.

drystyx This should have been a good movie. But it is the exact opposite way of creating a story or characters. It's a movie about Scandinavian resistance to German oppression during World War II. A bit silly when the Germans speak of themselves as a master race to them, when Hitler idolized the very blonde women that are the only female survivors of the movie, but that's just one of the multitude of clichés you'll find here.It is easily the worst movie Errol Flynn ever did, and I do mean "ever".It is one of the worst examples of character writing you will ever find. It is the opposite of what most writers want to do. It has usually been cool to take what appear to be one dimensional characters and evolve them into multiple dimensions. The screen writer here does the opposite. Some start by seeming to be believable, but devolve into pitiful one dimensional clichés.It is probably the most predictable movie you will ever see, even by 1943 standards. Yes, you will groan as you properly predict not only who gets killed, but exactly how and when, and you'll hope you are wrong, but the contrived writing here will make you wonder why big time producers actually pay money to those hacks.Too bad, because this could have been a better film if written by just about anyone else.

Spikeopath Directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Errol Flynn, Walter Huston, Ann Sheridan & Ruth Gordon. It's based on a script by Robert Rossen which is adapted from a novel by William Woods. The story revolves around Trollness, a fishing village in Norway suffering under years of oppressive Nazi occupation. With the locals divided on what to do about it, with some having vested interests that are not totally worthy, a guerrilla resistance effort finally sparks into life.Very competent film making across the board, but the film at nearly two hours long is often a chore to get thru. It's refreshing, tho, to see a film about the Norwegian resistance, a great chapter in the war that we sadly don't see much of in cinema. While one of the best things about the film is in how it portrays that not all the Norwegians wanted the Nazis out. Some were happy to let them occupy, others were just too frightened to do something about it. Here in Milestone's movie a catalyst spurs the village into action and it's then that the movie gains impetus. This does come at a cost as such, tho, since the heroics in the rousing finale are over contrived. Nicely shot on California coastal locations to gain some "Norwegian" authenticity (Sidney Hickox on photography).Worthy, watchable but not one to sample too often. 6/10