The Spy in Black (AKA “U-Boat 29”)
Directed by Michael Powell
Written by J. Storer Clousten, Emeric Pressburger, and Roland Pertwee
1939/UK
London Film Productions
First viewing/Streaming on Hulu Plus
[box] Tagline: TODAY’S U-BOAT TERROR MAKES THIS THE YEAR’S TIMELIEST PICTURE![/box]
The performance of Conrad Veidt and some beautiful noirish camerawork under the direction of Michael Powell highlighted this unexpected gem.
In 1917, Captain Hardt (Veidt) is sent on a secret mission to the Orkney Islands where he is to rendezvous with a German agent masquerading as a schoolteacher (Valerie Hobson). Together they are to exploit intelligence gleaned from a British traitor to intercept the British fleet as it sails to Germany. But the mission is fraught with complications and twists, not the least is Hardt’s attraction to the schoolteacher.
I was really impressed with this one. Veidt is just fantastic as the spy of the title and the screenplay treats him with some nuance and even a little sympathy. The shots are glorious and I thought the ending was really suspenseful. Another highlight is the Miklos Rosca score. Not necessarily for thrillseekers but nevertheless warmly recommended.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9OMpPkPrB8
Clip – the accomplices meet – Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson
