Decision Before Dawn

source: Decision Before Dawn

One of the best movies I have ever seen. Realistic details with good casting make this a standout world war II movie. Plot is excellent with good acting by all. Can only say it is perfect and I rate it a ten

When this film & book came out it was the subject of very interested discussion in my school group. As a seventh grader I listened intently to the opinions of the older seniors, who really appreciated it. Not the usual gung-ho movie, lots of emotion involved. For the first time one had the opportunity to empathize with both the German and American aspects, and the torn emotions of Happy, who, by his actions, may indirectly be contributing to his own father's death. Also the potential love between Happy and the barmaid with whom he shared his glass of wine - (was she Hildegard Kneff?) very beautiful - the irony of his SS(?) buddy with the motorcycle & sidecar seen hanging by the side of the road. I would put this on a par with A Time To Love And A Time To Die, for its ability to transport us completely into the sealed world of Nazi Germany that few outsiders got to see (other than the participants). Another film, similar in genre was one about the Berlin Airlift starring Montgomery Clift (The Big LIft). Wonderful when a film could be well made and at the same time use a realistic WW II setting, thank goodness before the age of computerized simulation. I would also include (in a "movie marathon") From Here to Eternity, and Twelve O'Clock High, again for the ability to transport us like a time machine. BTW did I see an actor in this film who also played in Twelve O'Clock High?? The book was also as great as the movie!

"Decision before Dawn," a 1951 20th Century Fox film, is one that possibly baby-boomers will remember from its TV premiere on "Saturday Night at the Movies." "Saturday Night at the Movies" was a Fox '60s television show that debuted many of the studio's films on the air. "The Desert Fox," "Diplomatic Courier," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Halls of Montezuma" and dozens of others all were shown in prime time. The show had guest hosts, but the only one I can remember at the moment is Linda Darnell. It was the kind of show that got young people like myself interested in film. Today, with dedicated channels, it's a little harder for young kids to get exposure to old movies. I'm glad I was young when I was. Oskar Werner, Richard Basehart, Gary Merrill and Hildegarde Neff star in this fact-based World War II drama about the recruitment of German POWs to gather information on the German army toward the end of the war. One such volunteer is the solemn-faced "Happy" who believes that the war needs to end and peace restored. Though he and the others are viewed as traitors who have their own agendas, Happy proves that he's not "just another kraut" - which is one of the last phrases spoken in the film. As he attempts to perform his mission, he meets different people and has some experiences that demonstrate what the war was like for the common man who experienced it on their own soil. And he demonstrates his own humanity in the process. Filmed on location in the rubble of German cities and using Germans as extras, "Decision before Dawn" is one of the most realistic, atmospheric and accurate movies about World War II, with many suspenseful scenes that will have your nails bitten down to the quick. The casting is perfection. This was Werner's star-making role (though it didn't lead to anything in Hollywood right away), and he gives a very internalized, restrained performance, his solemn baby face giving very little away. The rest of the performances are excellent, with two ruggedly handsome men, Basehart and Merrill, very effective in their roles. Hans Christian Blech is a standout as another German prisoner who becomes a spy. As someone on IMDb pointed out, the anti-German sentiment was certainly still prevalent in America at the time of this film, and to show a German in a positive light, as well as what the Germans went through, was a brave decision. The fact is, Hitler didn't care a hoot about the people of Germany. He took their pots and pans, their food, and when they ran out of men, he took their 14-year-old sons. In the end, he blamed them for the war being lost. "Decision Before Dawn" is a great film that shows that not all Germans were Nazis. Some of them were just human beings.

One theme I seem to get from this movie. If you a traitor to one's country even for noble cause as democracy is not noble. Seeing how it was made at the beginning of cold war and released just as it became hot for Korean Conflict. It strikes me as written for a slighty conservative war weary public that wants everything outfront and no shades of grey.

I stumbled onto "Decision before Dawn" on cable the other day and was amazed at how great a film it is. The plot is excellent and it plays out a lot like a modern film even though it is from 1951. The acting is superb and the story is deep. I love the realism in this film , the ruins of Germany were used as the set for the film and weapons and equipment is are authentic WW2 stock. I can not believe this gem is not available on DVD let alone VHS. I found a DVD on the internet that was made from digital cable and was glad to purchase it. "Decision before Dawn" is a great espionage-spy film with the war as a backdrop that is undiscovered by the mainstream film goer (hence the 182 votes on this site). Watch this film and you will not be disappointed. 10 stars of 10.

I have seen this film on cable several times. Some of the scenes that are supposed to be in Wurzburg are actually in Munich. The chase scene in the rubble towards the end of the film was near the old Bavarian "Rezidence" or Royal palace that the Wittelsbach family lived in near the old town area of Munich. I recognized the Kriegsmuseum building which is now the seat of the Bavarian state government. Other than that I really enjoyed the film. Having read countless stories about the demise of the once mighty Wehrmacht this film was, to me, accurate in its portrayal of soldiers beaten down and waiting for the inevitable end. Werner has been one of my favorite actors. His performances in "The Spy who came in from the Cold", "Fahrenheit 451" are very good.

Near the end of WWII, the US Army gets German POWs to spy against their own country. Filmed on location in Europe, this is a solidly made drama under the capable direction of Litvak, his follow-up to "The Snake Pit." It features fine acting by Werner as a German prisoner and Basehart and Merrill as American officers. However, the script is a letdown. After an extended exposition where the Americans hatch the plan to use the German POWs for espionage, much of the middle part of the film is devoted to Werner carrying out his mission in Germany. None of it is very interesting, although it has an exciting finish. Given the lackluster script, the film becomes a drag.

I saw this movie recently on AMC, and was extremely impressed. It was filmed on location only a few years after the end of the war, and uses the bombed-out scenery to brilliant advantage. I agree with all of the previous comments, and wonder why this film is not available on DVD or video. I was so intrigued by the story that I found a copy of the book on which it was based over the internet, "Call it Treason" by George Howe. I just finished it, and I enthusiastically recommend the book,it's worth searching for (out of print.) I wish there were more books and movies like this around....

For anyone who is used to freedom, this movie shows better than any other what it is like to live in a total police state. The Thousand-Year Reich is shown with every wart and blemish, making this one of the greatest propaganda movies for freedom. But it is a harrowing experience, a true thriller. For the life of me, I cannot understand why this film is not better known and why it is hardly available in public libraries. Could this reflect the conservative, McCarthyite influence on movies? I think it is a must-see.