The Moon Is Down

1943

1h 30m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

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Drama

War

The story of a small town in Norway that resists German occupation during World War II. Based on a John Steinbeck novel.

Directors

Irving Pichel

Writers

John Steinbeck(novel by)

Nunnally Johnson(writer by)

Stars

Cedric Hardwicke

Henry Travers

Lee J. Cobb

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Top cast

Col. Lanser

Mayor Orden

Dr. Albert Winter

Molly Morden

Mme. Sarah Orden

Lt. Tonder

Alex Morden

Capt. Loft

George Corell

Villager (uncredited)

Louis V. Arco

Schumann (uncredited)

Georgia Backus

Villager (uncredited)

John Banner

Lt. Prackle (uncredited)

Trevor Bardette

Knute Pierson (Foreman) (uncredited)

Hank Bell

Villager (uncredited)

John Bleifer

Miner (uncredited)

Sven Hugo Borg

Sergeant (uncredited)

Tom Brown

Boy (uncredited)

Directors

Irving Pichel

Writers

John Steinbeck(novel by)

Nunnally Johnson(writer by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

There are only a few period wartime stories told around events in the occupied Kingdom of Norway, and this is one of the better efforts. Sir Cedric Hardwicke is the Nazi colonel sent to supervise a small town that exists to support a nearby iron-ore mine. A sophisticate, of sorts, he initially attempts to deal reasonably with the townspeople led by their Mayor (Henry Travers) but soon realises that these people are not the type to sit idly by, sabotage soon becomes rife - and a battle of wills - and philosophies - ensues. It has some subtly to it, both Hardwicke and Peter van Eyck ("Lt. Tonder") demonstrate some degree of humanity from the occupier's perspective, and both Travers and Lee J. Cobb ("Dr. Winter") deliver well as the peaceful, elderly, men who do not consider themselves to be brave, but they are proud and are determined to see off their murderous guests - even if it costs them their lives. It is plausible, which helps enormously, and the pace from Irving Pichel draws us into their ghastly predicament well. Made mid-WWII, it has a slight tinge of propaganda to it, but the characters have an element of authenticity about them that makes this a decidedly more nuanced watch than many of it's time.

Geronimo196726 Jun, 2022