Edge of Darkness (1943)

Director:

Lewis Milestone

Writers:

Robert Rossen (screenplay)
William Woods (novel)

Release Date:

24 April 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

A story incomparable of a people unconquerable.

Plot:

After two years under German rule, a small Norwegian fishing village rises up and revolts against the occupying Nazis.

Plot Keywords:

Revolt | Nazi | Norway | Fisherman | Fishing Village

Cast

Errol Flynn	...	Gunnar Brogge
Ann Sheridan	...	Karen Stensgard
Walter Huston	...	Dr. Martin Stensgard
Nancy Coleman	...	Katja
Helmut Dantine	...	Captain Koenig
Judith Anderson	...	Gerd Bjarnesen
Ruth Gordon	...	Anna Stensgard
John Beal	...	Johann Stensgard
Morris Carnovsky	...	Sixtus Andresen
Charles Dingle	...	Kaspar Torgerson
Roman Bohnen	...	Lars Malken
Richard Fraser	...	Pastor Aalesen
Art Smith	...	Knut Osterholm
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Louis V. Arco	...	German Lieutenant (uncredited)
Monte Blue	...	Petersen (uncredited)
Henry Brandon	...	Maj. Ruck (uncredited)
Glen Cavender	...	Cannery Worker (uncredited)
Virginia Christine	...	Hulda (uncredited)
William Edmunds	...	Elderly Sailor (uncredited)
Tom Fadden	...	Hammer (uncredited)
Frederick Giermann	...	German Pilot (uncredited)
Kit Guard	...	Townsman in Church (uncredited)
Kurt Katch	...	German Captain (uncredited)
Kurt Kreuger	...	German Co-Pilot (uncredited)
Walt La Rue	...	Village Patriot (uncredited)
Rolf Lindau	...	German Lieutenant (uncredited)
Dudley Field Malone	...	Winston Churchcill (voice) (uncredited)
Torben Meyer	...	Cannery Clerk (uncredited)
Peter Michael	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
Francis Pierlot	...	Tailor (uncredited)
'Snub' Pollard	...	Townsman in Church (uncredited)
Henry Rowland	...	Helmut (uncredited)
Tonio Selwart	...	Paul (uncredited)
Helene Thimig	...	Mrs. Frida Malken (uncredited)
Dorothy Tree	...	Solveig Brategaard (uncredited)
Peter van Eyck	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
Roland Varno	...	German Lieutenant (uncredited)
Frank Wilcox	...	Jensen (uncredited)
Lottie Williams	...	Mrs. Mortensen (uncredited)
William Yetter Sr.	...	German Officer (uncredited)
Jack Young	...	Franklin D. Roosevelt (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
Lewis Milestone

Writing credits
Robert Rossen		(screenplay)
William Woods		(novel)

Produced by
Henry Blanke	....	producer
Jack L. Warner	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Franz Waxman

Cinematography by
Sidney Hickox		(director of photography) (as Sid Hickox)

Film Editing by
David Weisbart

Art Direction by
Robert M. Haas

Set Decoration by
Julia Heron		(set decorations)

Costume Design by
Orry-Kelly		(gowns)

Makeup Department
Perc Westmore	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
James McMahon	....	assistant director (uncredited)
Sherry Shourds	....	assistant director (uncredited)
Raoul Walsh	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Sound Department
Everett Alton Brown	....	sound (as Everett A. Brown)

Special Effects by
Lawrence W. Butler	....	special effects director (as Lawrence Butler)
Willard Van Enger	....	special effects

Stunts
Buster Wiles	....	stunts (uncredited)

Editorial Department
James Leicester	....	montages
Don Siegel	....	montages

Music Department
Leo F. Forbstein	....	musical director
Leonid Raab	....	orchestral arrangement (as Leon Raab)

Other crew
Herschel Daugherty	....	dialogue director
E. Wessel Klausen	....	technical advisor
Gerard Lambert	....	technical advisor
Peter Pohlenz	....	technical advisor (as Frank U. Peter Pohlenz)
Hans Stesness	....	technical advisor (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Warner Bros (presents) (as Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. A Warner Bros.- First National Picture)

Distributors

• Warner Bros (1943) (USA) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (1949) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (1949) (France) (theatrical)
• Dominant Pictures Corporation (1956) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• MGM/UA Home Video (1993) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2010) (USA) (DVD) (Included in "TCM Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures")
• Warner Bros. (????) (Belgium) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Turner Entertainment  DVD package design
• Warner Bros. Entertainment  DVD package design

Also Known As:

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #8705) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | UK:A (original rating) | Australia:PG | Argentina:Atp | UK:PG (video rating) (1989) | UK:PG (tv rating)

Filming Locations:

Cannery Row, Monterey, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros

Trivia:

The Minister of St. Olav's Church for Norwegian Seamen, Hans Stesness acted as a a technical advisor to the production for the religious scenes, according to a press release for this movie held at the AMPAS Library. St Olav's Church is situated in the environs of the Los Angeles Harbor and is now known as the Norwegian Seamen's Church, San Pedro and it is part of the Norwegian Church Abroad. Richard Fraser portraying village Pastor Aalesen was personally lent a robe by Pastor Stessness for wearing in this film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Anna Stensgard suggests they have a drink to celebrate Johann's return, her glass changes position between shots. It's first in her hand, then on the table, then back in her hand.

Quotes:

Dr. Martin Stensgard:Why must everything in the world be either black or white?
Karen Stensgard:Because that's the way the world is these days.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Warner at War (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Ein' Feste Burg)

Superb story, director and actors

I keep a list of 100 all time favorite movies. This movie is in the top fifty. It has superb actors: Walter Houston, Ruth Gordon, Errol Flynn, etc. The Director did an excellent job. The movie shows that humans, when beaten down too harshly, will rise up, if given the opportunity, to destroy the oppressor and restore freedom of choice. In this case, the German Nazis brutally oppress the Norwigans of a small fishing village. The full range of human emotions is displayed. This is drama at its best. It would help galvanize a world against the oppressor. After WWII the film is still applicable to world events somewhere. It is a great history movie!