The Conspirators (1944)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Jean Negulesco

Writers:

Frederic Prokosch (novel)
Vladimir Pozner (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

24 October 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Thriller | War

Plot:

Vincent Van Der Lyn, a Dutch freedom fighter in WWII, is forced to neutral Lisbon to escape the Nazis...

Plot Keywords:

Nazi | WWII | Lisbon | German | Casino

Cast

Hedy Lamarr	...	Irene Von Mohr
Paul Henreid	...	Vincent Van Der Lyn
Sydney Greenstreet	...	Ricardo Quintanilla
Peter Lorre	...	Jan Bernazsky
Victor Francen	...	Hugo Von Mohr
Joseph Calleia	...	Captain Pereira
Carol Thurston	...	Rosa
Vladimir Sokoloff	...	Miguel
Eduardo Ciannelli	...	Colonel Almeida (as Edward Ciannelli)
Steven Geray	...	Dr. Schmitt
Kurt Katch	...	Otto Lutzke

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #10053) | Sweden:15

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

When Henreid disembarks the aircraft at the beginning he passes a sign "British Airways". This is anticipating the use of that name by 32years! In 1944 it was called BOAC.

Quotes:

Ricardo Quintanilla: This may seem to you melodramatic, but indulge me, please, I like melodrama.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Warner at War (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Orchard Moon

I spy

Jean Negulesco's "The Conspirators" sounded intriguing when the trailer was shown at TCM. It appeared as though it was well worth a look because of the cast alone. Well, it was a big disappointment!

The story is convoluted, it is hardly plausible what the hero, Vincent, is able to pull, let alone, be allowed to enter Lisbon, at the crucial time when he arrives. The character of Irene remains an enigma throughout the film and finally, there is not enough to make this movie enjoyable.

Paul Henried was a lucky man being in Hollywood while a lot of the American stars were away fighting in WWII. In this film he tries, but there's something about his Vincent that doesn't quite make it. Hedy Lamarr's presence in the movie is pretext to present her in different costumes. Henreid and Lamarr had not enough chemistry to make the film, at least, a nice love story.

Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre are completely wasted and the rest of the players were not interesting enough to keep the viewer's attention at all times. Instead, one feels bored by the proceedings. At least Vincent and Irene, by the magic of the movies, will always have Lisbon!