Movie spotlight
Set just before the outbreak of WWII, this is the story of a test pilot who works for the (unnamed) enemy. Made in 1939, by the time it was released in 1940, war had been declared.
In the tense pre-war atmosphere of 1939, a British scientist develops a revolutionary new type of aircraft engine. When a saboteur infiltrates his laboratory with the intention of stealing the plans, a retired intelligence officer is called upon to uncover the spy before vital technology falls into the wrong hands. The race against time unfolds with espionage, betrayal, and the looming threat of war.
This British thriller was a product of its time, reflecting the anxieties surrounding the impending World War II. While not a major critical success, it served as a piece of wartime propaganda and entertainment, offering a glimpse into the espionage themes prevalent in films of the era. Its reception was generally moderate, appreciated for its suspenseful plot despite some predictable elements.
Praised for its suspenseful espionage plot.
Considered a typical wartime thriller reflecting pre-war anxieties.
Acknowledged for its role in topical propaganda filmmaking.
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The film was produced at a time of significant international tension, with its themes of espionage and technological advancement directly mirroring the real-world political climate leading up to World War II.
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Not much to say about tis rather routine, short, pre-war espionage drama. Roger Livesey is an aeronautical engineer working with his team (Basil Bradford and Barry Barnes) on a top secret design for a test aircraft. Meantime Felix Aylmer ("...