49th Parallel

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 Canadians who tell a truth that contradicts Nazi propaganda.

Viewed for our 1943 series of watching Oscar winner/nominees.

We were surprised at how much we liked this. It was much more propagandistic than winner Mrs. Miniver, but it was still really good. Thus proving, I suppose, that top notch talent can elevate and improve upon a basic message. In a sense it was somewhat like a mystery, watching which of the group of Nazis trying to get back to Germany would be picked off next and by whom.

I especially enjoyed Laurence Olivier as French Canadian trapper Johnnie, Leslie Howard as the overly civilized and somewhat effete Philip Armstrong Scott, and Raymond Massey as the basic Canuck army recruit Andy. In a very real sense, the land of Canada was a character in the movie and we enjoyed that also.