{"id":34977,"date":"2015-10-24T00:01:43","date_gmt":"2015-10-24T07:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=34977"},"modified":"2020-11-29T21:48:55","modified_gmt":"2020-11-30T04:48:55","slug":"night-train-to-munich-1940","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=34977","title":{"rendered":"Night Train to Munich (1940)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Hello, <a href=\"http:\/\/clamba.blogspot.com\/\">CMBA<\/a> members! I&#8217;m excited to be participating in the fall <strong>Trains, Planes, and Automobiles<\/strong> blogathon. This is my third blogathon entry for CMBA: others were reviews of <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=34336\"><em>Intermezzo<\/em> (both versions &#8212; 1936 and 1939)<\/a> for <a href=\"http:\/\/clamba.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/cmba-spring-blogathon-fabulous-films-of.html\"><strong>Fabulous Films of the 30s<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=33658\"><em>The Fabulous World of Jules Verne<\/em> (1958)<\/a> for <a href=\"http:\/\/clamba.blogspot.com\/2014\/05\/cmba-blogathon-fabulous-films-of-50s.html\"><strong>Fabulous Films of the 50s<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Welcome! Please click <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=120\">here<\/a> to read more about this site.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;In time you will see things the way I do &#8212; the way everyone in Germany does.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-Munich-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-Munich-Poster-119x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"119\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-34978\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-Munich-Poster-119x300.jpg 119w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-Munich-Poster-51x128.jpg 51w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-Munich-Poster.jpg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 119px) 100vw, 119px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAn armor-plating inventor (Felix Aylmer) flees Prague in time to avoid Nazi occupation, but his daughter (Margaret Lockwood) is caught and sent to a concentration camp, where she meets a handsome prisoner (Paul Henreid) who helps her escape to England. When she and her father are kidnapped and taken back to Germany, they must rely on the help of a charismatic spy (Rex Harrison) to help them cross to Switzerland &#8212; but will their ruse be spoiled by a pair of nosy British passengers (Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne)?\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Carol Reed Films<\/li>\n<li>Historical Drama<\/li>\n<li>Kidnapping<\/li>\n<li>Mistaken or Hidden Identities<\/li>\n<li>Rex Harrison Films<\/li>\n<li>World War II<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nMade just two years after Hitchcock&#8217;s classic pre-war thriller <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=7983\"><em>The Lady Vanishes<\/em> (1938)<\/a>, this film &#8212; directed by Carol Reed &#8212; bears inevitable comparison in many respects, given that it was co-authored by the same screenwriting team (Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder), took place in part on a train, and featured both the same leading actress (Lockwood) and the same wisecracking comedic duo (Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne). By 1940, however, war had officially broken out, and the difference in narrative emphasis shows: Nazis are called out explicitly as heinous villains, concentration camps (albeit in a sanitized sound-set version) are shown, and the call to action on behalf of Brits was more profound than ever. This became an early entry in the lengthy array of wartime cinema produced by Britain, functioning both as escapist fare and patriotic stimulation. <\/p>\n<p>The movie&#8217;s pace is fast-moving, and while we find out the true identity of one key character early on, this doesn&#8217;t lessen the tension. We are primarily focused on admiring the daring-do of Harrison, who is nicely cast here as a brave (if slightly rash) spy willing to risk his life to help Aylmer and Lockwood. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1639\" height=\"1031\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-55783\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison2.png 1639w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison2-300x189.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison2-1024x644.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison2-128x81.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison2-768x483.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison2-1536x966.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison2-429x270.png 429w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1639px) 100vw, 1639px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As in <em>The Lady Vanishes<\/em>, I&#8217;m not a fan of Radford and Wayne&#8217;s presence, though they are at least tightly integrated into the plot and serve a critical function:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Radford-Wayne2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Radford-Wayne2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1603\" height=\"1021\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-55780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Radford-Wayne2.png 1603w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Radford-Wayne2-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Radford-Wayne2-1024x652.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Radford-Wayne2-128x82.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Radford-Wayne2-768x489.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Radford-Wayne2-1536x978.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Radford-Wayne2-424x270.png 424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1603px) 100vw, 1603px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Although Lockwood&#8217;s character isn&#8217;t all that memorable:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Lockwood.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Lockwood.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1647\" height=\"1023\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-55781\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Lockwood.png 1647w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Lockwood-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Lockwood-1024x636.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Lockwood-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Lockwood-768x477.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Lockwood-1536x954.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Lockwood-435x270.png 435w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1647px) 100vw, 1647px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; Henreid &#8212; perhaps best known for his work in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=20381\"><em>Now, Voyager<\/em> (1942)<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5660\"><em>Casablanca<\/em> (1942)<\/a> &#8212; does a fine job in an unenviable role:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Henreid.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Henreid.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1631\" height=\"1017\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-55776\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Henreid.png 1631w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Henreid-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Henreid-1024x639.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Henreid-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Henreid-768x479.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Henreid-1536x958.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Henreid-433x270.png 433w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1631px) 100vw, 1631px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and Harrison is actually not annoying (plus, he SINGS &#8212; for real!).  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rex Harrison as Gus Bennett<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1601\" height=\"1013\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-55778\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison.png 1601w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison-300x190.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison-1024x648.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison-128x81.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison-768x486.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison-1536x972.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Harrison-427x270.png 427w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1601px) 100vw, 1601px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Still.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Still.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1627\" height=\"1031\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-55779\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Still.png 1627w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Still-300x190.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Still-1024x649.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Still-128x81.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Still-768x487.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Still-1536x973.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Night-Train-to-Munich-Still-426x270.png 426w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1627px) 100vw, 1627px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo; this one is fun but optional viewing for film fanatics. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0032842\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.qnetwork.com\/index.php?page=review&#038;id=2390\">Q Network Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s3226muni.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/london\/film\/night-train-to-munich\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hello, CMBA members! I&#8217;m excited to be participating in the fall Trains, Planes, and Automobiles blogathon. This is my third blogathon entry for CMBA: others were reviews of Intermezzo (both versions &#8212; 1936 and 1939) for Fabulous Films of the 30s and The Fabulous World of Jules Verne (1958) for Fabulous Films of the 50s. Welcome! Please click here to read more about this site. &#8220;In time you will see things the way I do &#8212; the way everyone in&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=34977\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34977"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34977\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55786,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34977\/revisions\/55786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}