The Spy in Black (1939)

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