Desperate Journey (1942)

71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(89 ratings)

In this, one of many World War II propaganda films of the early 1940s, Errol Flynn is one of five RAF pilots to survive a crash-landing in occupied Poland. They are relentlessly pursued by Nazi officer Raymond Massey, who despite his erudition and poise comes across as one of the densest men on… More In this, one of many World War II propaganda films of the early 1940s, Errol Flynn is one of five RAF pilots to survive a crash-landing in occupied Poland. They are relentlessly pursued by Nazi officer Raymond Massey, who despite his erudition and poise comes across as one of the densest men on earth--not that his Nazi underlings are any brighter. After repeatedly humiliating Massey and laying waste to most of the Third Reich installations in Poland, Flynn and cohort Ronald Reagan steal a German bomber and head back to England. "Now for Australia and a crack at those Japs!" declares Flynn at the end, admirably maintaining a straight face. Desperate Journey gained some negative fame in the 1980s because of its brief scenes in which Ronald Reagan dons a Nazi uniform. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Raoul Walsh
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Sep 26, 1942 Wide
On DVD: Oct 23, 1991

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Instinctive existentialism of a very high order, and a very entertaining adventure (1942).
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Lively adventure.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Desperate Journey was viewed at the time of its release as a ludicrous, comic-strip war adventure. That view has only been strengthened over the years.
Tom Milne, Time Out
Aside from some expendable propaganda heroics, rousingly handled by Walsh.
, Film4
Walsh's desperately daft flagwaver often lets propagandizing get the better of its smooth running.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan star in a light hearted mix between the Dirty Dozen and Commando.

Cast

            Errol Flynn as Flight Lt. Terrence Forbes

            Ronald Reagan as Flying Officer Johnny Hammond

            Arthur Kennedy as Flying Officer Jed Forrest

            Raymond Massey as Maj. Otto Baumeister

            Sig Rumann as Preuss

            Pat O'Moore as Squadron Leader Lane Ferris

            Ronald Sinclair as Flight Sgt. Lloyd Hollis

            Louis V. Arco as Feldwebel Gertz

            Charles Irwin as Capt. Coswick

            Robert O. Davis as Kruse

            Walter Brooke as Flight Sgt. Warwick

            Harry Lewis as Evans

            Don Phillips as Kenton

            Frank Alten as Lieutenant

            Felix Basch as Dr. Herman Brahms

            Albert Basserman as Dr. Mather

            Elsa Basserman as Frau Raeder

            Barry Bernard as Squadron Commander

            Sven Hugo Borg as Mechanic

            Nancy Coleman as Kaethe Brahms

            Helmut Dantine as German Copilot

            Carl Ekberg as Telephone Repairman

            Richard Fraser as Squadron Leader Clark

            Arno Frey as Pvt. Trecha

            Gene Garrick as Polish Boy

            Ilka Gruning as Frau Brahms

            Alan Hale as Flight Sgt. Kirk Edwards

            Ludwig Hardt as Pharmacist

            William Hopper as Aircraftsman

            Kurt Katch as Hesse

            Bruce Lister as English Officer

            Jack Lomas as Magnus

            Lester Matthews as Wing Commander

            Otto Reichow as Pvt. Koenig

            Henry Rowland as Motorcycle Scout

            Ferdinand Schumann-Heink as Sentry

            Hans Schumm
            
            Lester Sharpe as Driver

            Bob Stephenson as Gestapo Agent

            Roland Varno as Unteroffizier

            Henry Victor as Heinrich Schwartzmuller

            Douglas Walton as British Officer

            Harold Daniels as German Soldier

            Walter Bonn as Sentry

            Rolf Lindau as Sergeant

            Sigfrid Tor as Pvt. Rasek

            Albert Bassermann
            
            Patrick O'Moore
            
            Sig Ruman
            
See full cast