The Spy in Black
The Spy in Black

Movie spotlight

The Spy in Black

1939
Movie
82 min
English

A German submarine is sent to the Orkney Isles in 1917 to sink the British fleet.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Director: Michael PowellGenres: Thriller, War, Spy

Plot Summary

As Britain mobilizes for war, a German U-boat captain, under the guise of a British naval officer, is sent to Scotland on a secret mission to sabotage the Royal Navy's defenses. He becomes entangled with a beautiful singer who may or may not be working for British intelligence. The fate of the nation rests on his ability to complete his mission while navigating a treacherous web of espionage and personal loyalty.

Critical Reception

The Spy in Black was generally well-received upon its release, praised for its suspenseful plot, effective direction, and Conrad Veidt's commanding performance. It was seen as a timely and effective piece of wartime propaganda that tapped into the public's anxieties about the escalating conflict with Germany.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its taut suspense and effective espionage thriller elements.

  • Conrad Veidt's performance as the conflicted spy was a highlight.

  • Considered a strong piece of pre-war British cinema with a patriotic undertone.

Google audience: Audience reception data is limited for this classic film.

Fun Fact

The film was one of the first major British espionage thrillers to be released just as World War II was beginning, serving as a morale booster and a warning to the public about enemy agents.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Valerie Hobson steals the show here in this dark, tense, wartime espionage drama about a German U-boat captain (Conrad Veidt) sent to the Orkney Islands in WWI to gather intelligence on the British Grand Fleet. Released at the start of the ...

Peter McGinn

Peter McGinn

This is a classic black and white spy thriller, thought of highly enough to be part of a national project to restore old films. The movie is entertaining, with a couple of departures from normal thrillers, I think (though I am not a foll...