A gentle widower, enraged at Nazi atrocities against his peaceful Norwegian fishing village, escapes to Britain and returns leading a commando force against the oppressors.
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Title: Commandos Strike at Dawn (1942)
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Nominated for
1
Oscar.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Paul Muni | ... | Eric Toresen | |
| Anna Lee | ... | Judith Bowen | |
| Lillian Gish | ... | Mrs. Bergesen | |
| Cedric Hardwicke | ... | Admiral Bowen (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke) | |
| Ray Collins | ... | Johan Bergesen | |
| Robert Coote | ... | Robert Bowen (as Flying Officer Robert Coote RCAF) | |
| Rosemary DeCamp | ... | Hilma Arnesen | |
| Alexander Knox | ... | German Captain | |
| Elisabeth Fraser | ... | Anna Korstad | |
| Richard Derr | ... | Gunnar Korstad | |
| Erville Alderson | ... | Johan Garme | |
 |
Barbara Everest | ... | Mrs. Olav |
| Rod Cameron | ... | Pastor | |
| Louis Jean Heydt | ... | Karl Arnesen | |
| George Macready | ... | Schoolteacher | |
Learn more
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
Erik Toresen, widower and fishery observer, leads a quiet life in a small Norwegian town; but after the Nazi occupation, German abuses lead Erik to form a Resistance group. After a killing, Erik flees to the wilderness and finds a secret German air base; he resolves to escape to England with its location. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
Taglines:
Fighting! Slashing! That they may live... to love again! See more »Parents Guide:
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Content with their pattern of honesty and industry they were a people who feared nought and envied nobody.
So it was in the summer of 1939.... See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Director John Farrow served in World War II as a highly decorated Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy. He was recovering from typhus at the time of this film. See more »Goofs
During the firing squad scene, the second soldier from the left fails to correctly load the bullet into the chamber. On closing the rifle bolt, the bullet is seen hanging out of the chamber, and then drops to the ground. See more »Quotes
Schoolteacher: [watching a Nazi bookburning] I'm writing a novel myself. I'd be very disappointed if you gentlemen don't burn it.See more »
Crazy Credits
Opening credits prologue: For long past the kingdom of Norway had been a domain of peace.Content with their pattern of honesty and industry they were a people who feared nought and envied nobody.
So it was in the summer of 1939.... See more »
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See more on IMDbPro »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
30 December 1942 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Commandos Come at Dawn See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$1,300,000Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1Contribute to This Page
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With the action coming in the last 20 minutes this isn't just a film about commandos. It is also a film about the Norwegians and how they, without commandos or training, but rather through gumption and nous, became a thorn in the side of the German occupation.
The simple plot of how a mild mannered Norwegian becomes a patriot is well told and they are many nice touches showing the Norwegian life at the time.
All in all a good war film, and one that while typical of the period has a heart and spirit about it that make it good viewing.
If it comes around and you like WWII films then catch it, it's well worth the time.