Contraband (1940)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(1,526 ratings)

The Danish freighter Helvig approaches English waters in early 1940 and, in keeping with the needs of British security, it is boarded by customs and naval officials in search of contraband cargo. Her skipper, Captain Anderson (Conrad Veidt), is compelled to ascede to British demands, but dreads the… More The Danish freighter Helvig approaches English waters in early 1940 and, in keeping with the needs of British security, it is boarded by customs and naval officials in search of contraband cargo. Her skipper, Captain Anderson (Conrad Veidt), is compelled to ascede to British demands, but dreads the delay, pointing out that the medical supplies in his cargo are vital. Anderssen is a dedicated seaman, all business, even where Mrs. Sorenson (Valerie Hobson), a headstrong passenger, is concerned. Then, on their first night in port, Mrs. Sorenson and a Mr. Pidgeon (Esmond Knight) disappear from the ship with Anderson's landing papers, the captain is in hot pursuit. Forced to join the woman in what seems a mad chase across London by night, he plunges into an Alice-in-Wonderland world of the blacked out city, following a set of clues through the maze of darkened streets and uncover a Nazi spy ring operating out of a basement in Soho. Each also discovers that there's a lot to admire and even possibly to love in the other -- the challenge is for Hobson, who is something other than the divorcee and mother she pretends to be, to stay alive long enough for Captain Anderson to effect a rescue and prevent the German spies from turning the British counter-intelligence effort against the Allies. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Michael Powell
Written By: Emeric Pressburger
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 29, 1940 Wide
On DVD: Apr 24, 2001
Studio: Kino on Video

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The story traces the gradual erosion of the Dane's neutrality in the face of menace, but Powell's freewheeling camera can't be stilled by patriotic piety
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
A first-rate, cleverly photographed WWII thriller from the great pair of Powell and Pressburger.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It was strange to see Veidt in a romantic hero role.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Emily B

An entertaining British Spy Thriller from Powell and Pressburger which is clearly influenced by Hitchcock (The 39 Steps, The Lady Vanishes). The leads Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson work brilliantly together and there's even a little bit of bondage thrown in (yes, really!)

Cast

            Conrad Veidt as Capt. Anderson

            Valerie Hobson as Mrs. Sorenson

            Hay Petrie as Axel Skold/Erik Skold

            Joss Ambler as Lieutenant Commander Ashton RNR

            Raymond Lovell as Van Dyne

            Esmond Knight as Mr. Pidgeon

            Charles Victor as Hendrick

            Dennis Arundell as Lieman

            Harold Warrender as Lieutenant Commander Ellis RN

            John H. Roberts as Hanson

            Eric Berry as Mr. Abo

            Olga Edwardes as Mrs. Abo

            Paddy Browne as Singer

            Mark Daly as Taxi driver

            Leo Genn as 1st Brother Grimm

            Eric Hales as Second Karoly

            Deborah Kerr as Bit Part (uncredited)

            Stuart Latham as 2nd Brother Grimm

            John Longden as Passport Officer

            Eric Maturin as Passport Officer

            Bernard Miles as Man lighting pipe

            Torin Thatcher as Sailor

            Julien Vedey as Waiter

            Manning Whiley as Manager of "Mousetrap"

            Peter Bull as 3rd Brother Grimm
See full cast