Night Train to Munich (1940)

After Germany invades Czechoslovakia, the German and the British intelligence services try to capture Czech scientist Dr. Axel Bomasch (James Harcourt), inventor of a new type of armor-plating.

Director:

Carol Reed

Writers:

Gordon Wellesley (based on an original story by), Sidney Gilliat (screenplay) (as Sydney Gilliat)

Stars:

Margaret Lockwood, Rex Harrison, Paul Henreid

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Margaret Lockwood	...	Anna Bomasch
Rex Harrison	...	Dickie Randall a.k.a. Gus Bennett
Paul Henreid	...	Karl Marsen (as Paul von Hernried)
Basil Radford	...	Charters
Naunton Wayne	...	Caldicott
James Harcourt	...	Axel Bomasch
Felix Aylmer	...	Dr. John Fredericks
Wyndham Goldie	...	Dryton
Roland Culver	...	Roberts
Eliot Makeham	...	Schwab
Raymond Huntley	...	Kampenfeldt
Austin Trevor	...	Capt. Prada (as Austen Trevor)
Kenneth Kent	...	Controller (as Keneth Kent)
C.V. France	...	Admiral Hassinger
Frederick Valk	...	Gestapo Officer (as Fritz Valk)

Storyline

After the Germans march into Prague, Czechoslovakia, armor-plating inventor Dr. Axel Bomasch (James Harcourt) flees to England. His daughter Anna (Margaret Lockwood) escapes from arrest to join him, but the Gestapo manages to kidnap them both back to Berlin. As war looms, British Secret Service Agent Gus Bennett (Sir Rex Harrison) follows, disguised as a senior German Army officer. His ploy is the not unpleasant one of pretending to woo Anna to the German cause.

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Plot Keywords:

prague czechoslovakia | homosexual subtext | romantic relationship | doctor | scientist | 

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Taglines:

Laughs! Thrills! Excitement!

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Genres:

Thriller | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #523.

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Goofs

The wording of the British passport read out by Charters is incorrect as it is different from the American wording in three major ways.. Firstly, the passport holder is not referred to as him or her but as "The Bearer". Secondly, British passports uniquely in the world, not only request that those concerned assist the bearer to be allowed proceed without let or hindrance, but request and require it. Thirdly, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the time of issue is never scheduled by name.

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Quotes

Controller: We can't afford to waste time.
[to Admiral Hassinger]
Controller: You didn't give him permission to travel with the prisoners, did you sir ?
Admiral Hassinger: No, no. But he may have assumed it. If you remember, we more or less gave him carte blanche.
Controller: The only thing is to check up with the War Office, sir.
Admiral Hassinger: I suppose so.
Controller: [picks up phone] War Office.
Admiral Hassinger: If he's right, this will be very serious for you, Kampfeldt.
Controller: Very serious indeed.
Capt. Prada: That letter was addressed to you. There's no denying that, Kampfeldt.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Paul Henreid is listed as Paul von Hernried in the credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Where Eagles Dare (1968)

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Soundtracks

It's True
(uncredited)
Written by Harry M. Woods
Performed by Rex Harrison

User Reviews

A traitor? A double agent? A gentleman?

Carol Reed directs this thriller in the Hitchcock tradition. A Czech scientist(James Harcourt)and his daughter(Margaret Lockwood)are pursued by Nazis. The pair escape to England, but Lockwood is captured and placed in a concentration camp in hopes of influencing her father to cooperate with the Germans. The lovely Lockwood escapes to rejoin her father only to have the pair kidnapped and taken back to Germany. A British agent(Rex Harrison)in disguise as a German officer infiltrates the German high command and tries to get the couple out of Germany by way of a night train to Munich. Nazi faithful Paul Henreid does his best to spoil the escape. My favorite scene involves the cable-car in the Swiss Alps. Harrison is outstanding. Supporting cast includes: Basil Radford, Naunton Wayne, Roland Culver and Austin Trevor. The intelligent script is witty with room for a little deadpan humor.

Details

Official Sites:

Love-It-Loud Retrospective [Christian Sellers]

Country:

UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

29 December 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Night Train

Filming Locations:

Gaumont-British Studios, Lime Grove, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century-Fox Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Full Range Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1