The Spy in Black1939
The Spy in Black (1939)
The Spy in Black Photos
Movie Info
Cast
as Frau Tiel / Jill Blacklock
as Lt. Ashington / Cmdr. David Blacklock
as Captain Hardt
as Anne Burnett
as Lt. Schuster
as Rev. Hector Matthews
as Mrs. Matthews
as Mrs. Sedley
as Rev. John Harris
as Chief Engineer
as Bob Bratt
as Admiral
as Chauffeuse
as Capt. Ratter
as Kate
as Cmdr. Dennis
as Submarine officer
as Hans
as Maggie (uncredited)
as German Sailor looking for Capt. Hardt (uncredited)
News & Interviews for The Spy in Black
Critic Reviews for The Spy in Black
All Critics (13) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (13) | Rotten (0)
Veidt has a strong role for which he's admirably suited. Sebastian Shaw is excellent as the English naval officer. Valerie Hobson, as the other spy, is creditable.
Darkness, foreboding and regret, rather than any sense of propaganda, dominate this extraordinarily atmospheric World War I spy story made on the eve of World War II
U-Boat 29 is the most exciting spy melodrama since the advent of the Second World War.
The film is dark and beautifully textured, though not as visually rich as the later, higher-budgeted Powell pictures.
The acting is outstandingly good. Conrad Veidt is brilliant in the lead.
Strong writing combines with striking cinematography and talented direction to make this a satisfying entertainment.
Audience Reviews for The Spy in Black
A solid and fun early British film from Michael Powell, "The Spy in Black" shows his early prowess with the camera. Even though It's considered a B film, the interior and exterior shots are captured surprisingly well and the use of angles adds to the intrigue and secrecy in the film. The movie is about a German submarine captain named Conrad Veidt who receives orders to infiltrate and gather intelligence to destroy a British Fleet. The other spies and people involved in the mission may not be who they seem. The only drawbacks, from an otherwise enjoyable film, was the held back movements and actions of both the Germans and English during crucial scenes. For examples of this look at the woman spy who is alone with the German officer, he literally sits his pistol down to change and she does nothing even though only a few feet away. Aside from the scenes not flowing too realistically, I enjoyed the movie as a whole. If you are into B films or just older British films of the action/suspense genre, this is a solid and entertaining one.
Super Reviewer
Michael Powell's first collaboration with Pressburger. Whilst clearly not as good as their later works, 'The Spy In Black' is still an entertaining War thriller with enough twists in the plot to keep you interested throughout.
Super Reviewer
The Spy in Black Quotes
There are no approved quotes yet for this movie.