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British nurse Edith Cavell is stationed at a hospital in Brussels during World War I. When the son of a former patient escapes from a German prisoner-of-war camp, she helps him flee to Holland. Outraged at the number of soldiers detained in the camps, Edith, along with a group of sympathizers, devises a plan to help the prisoners escape. As the group works to free the soldiers, Edith must keep her activities secret from the Germans
The film dramatizes the life of British nurse Edith Cavell, who ran a Red Cross hospital in Brussels during World War I. Despite her humanitarian work, she became involved in aiding Allied prisoners of war to escape occupied Belgium. Her actions led to her arrest by German forces and subsequent execution by firing squad.
The film was a significant success upon its release, praised for its patriotic fervor and Anna Neagle's compelling performance. It resonated with audiences during a time of global conflict, bolstering morale and highlighting acts of wartime heroism. While critically lauded for its emotional impact and historical portrayal, some modern analyses might view its patriotic slant through a different lens.
Praised for Anna Neagle's powerful and moving portrayal of Nurse Cavell.
Commended for its patriotic message and its stirring depiction of courage in the face of adversity.
Recognized as a significant morale booster during wartime.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film from 1939 is not readily available.
Anna Neagle's portrayal of Edith Cavell was so impactful that the film significantly boosted her already growing popularity, solidifying her status as a major star in British cinema.
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Anna Neagle in the title role and Edna May Oliver as the Countess de Mavon are on great form in this authentic looking biopic of the first world war nurse who ran a small hospital in Brussels. The two women quickly establish a network to he...