Yes, it is very preachy about prejudice, but then Hollywood was full of Jewish people and they always loved a film set against anti-Semitism. It was safe to place it in a period era - here 1933- where they might not offend enough of its audience to deny it a healthy cash return at the boxoffice. Oddly enough it was the sugary sweet anti-Nazi R&H bonbon, The Sound of Music, that took the trophy that year, but then this was only a subplot in that opus.
Granted it is a bit overdone, but the screenplay has its heart in the right place and we are enriched by the performances of Oskar Werner and Simone Signoret - justly Oscar nommed - as well as the last film performance of Vivien Leigh (who not only deserved a nom and didn't get it - she deserved to WIN the Best Supporting Actress trophy - a very sad and serious error). Her fifteen scenes, six without dialogue, are superbly played, with bitter acid. When she speaks of her husband and her age, one believes she is talking about herself. Her soliloquy in front of her mirror is worth an Oscar in itself. Here she displays the deep throaty voice she gained in later years, such a contrast to the light, wispy girlish trill she displayed in most of her films.
Nominated for eight Oscars and winner of trophies for Art Direction and Cinematography. A worthy effort worth seeing.
