Ministry of Fear (1944)

100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(735 ratings)

An innocent man is drawn into a web of espionage when he unwittingly comes into possession of a crucial piece of microfilm in this shadowy, ominous film noir. Fritz Lang's adaptation of Graham Greene's novel is filled with unusual touches, beginning with the fact that protagonist Stephen Neale (Ray… More An innocent man is drawn into a web of espionage when he unwittingly comes into possession of a crucial piece of microfilm in this shadowy, ominous film noir. Fritz Lang's adaptation of Graham Greene's novel is filled with unusual touches, beginning with the fact that protagonist Stephen Neale (Ray Milland) has just been released from a mental asylum. To celebrate his return to the real world, he visits a local carnival, only to accidentally receive a "prize" meant for a Nazi agent. When he discovers the error, he turns for help to a detective, whose investigations only make the matter more complicated. Neale soon winds up on the run from both the Nazis and the police, who mistakenly believe him guilty of murder. Lang's famous expressionistic style is somewhat muted here, but Henry Sharp's crisp black-and-white cinematography sets a suitably unsettling mood, and the twists and double-crosses of Greene's story unfold at an appropriately quick pace. While it does not reach the same level of timeless classic as Carol Reed's adaptation of Greene's The Third Man four years later, Ministry of Fear stands as a well-made, thoroughly gripping and intelligent example of film noir. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Fritz Lang
Written By: Seton I. Miller
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 16, 1944 Wide
On DVD: Apr 14, 1998
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt
It's certainly fitting that after filling his German years with ballsy, predictive masterpieces about Nazi rule-by-fear, Fritz Lang would finally make a film that directly involves Nazis.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Visually brilliant masterpiece.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Really good Fritz Lang noir that's never gotten its due
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Has an exciting plot and is properly atmospheric despite its cheap studio sets.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

Ministry of Fear is easily one of Fritz Lang's high points of the 1940s. He does a great job capturing WWII London with a dreadful mood. The chase scene in the beginning as well as the seance scene is worth it alone. The cast is good, but the set design is superb and if my senses… More
Ministry of Fear is easily one of Fritz Lang's high points of the 1940s. He does a great job capturing WWII London with a dreadful mood. The chase scene in the beginning as well as the seance scene is worth it alone. The cast is good, but the set design is superb and if my senses aren't failing me I'd say that Ministry of Fear is a precursor to North By Northwest. Overall, the setup is good, the middle dwindles a bit and the last few minutes are kind of weak (with a slightly embarrassing ending) but if you can get your hands on a copy of this movie it's worth the time.

Cast

            Ray Milland as Stephen Neale

            Marjorie Reynolds as Carla Hilfe

            Dan Duryea as Cost/Travers

            Carl Esmond as Willi Hilfe

            Percy Waram as Inspector Prentice

            Hillary Brooke as The Second Mrs. Bellane

            Alan Napier as Dr. Forrester

            Erskine Sanford as Mr. Rennit

            Thomas Louden as Mr. Newland

            Aminta Dyne as The First Mrs. Bellane

            Eustace Wyatt as Blind Man

            Mary Field as Miss Penteel

            Byron Foulger as Mr. Newby

            Harry Allen as Delivery Man

            Frank Baker as Scotland Yard Man

            Wilson Benge as Air Raid Warden

            Evelyn Beresford as Fat Lady

            Arthur Blake as Officer

            Matthew Boulton as Government Official

            George Broughton as Man in Tailor's Shop

            Leonard Carey as Porter

            David Clyde as English Bobby

            Frank Dawson as Vicar

            Edward Fielding as Executive

            Helena Grant as Mrs. Merrick

            Grayce Hampton as Lady with Floppy Hat

            Olaf Hytten as Clerk in Tailor Shop

            Boyd Irwin as Scotland Yard Man

            Colin Kenny as Scotland Yard Man

            Frank Leigh
            
            Connie Leon as Lady Purchaser of Cake

            Lester Matthews as Dr. Norton

            Clive Morgan as Man in Tailor's Shop

            Ottola Nesmith as Woman at Admission Gate

            Jessica Newcombe as Cake Booth Lady

            Hilda Plowright as Maid

            Francis Sayles
            
            Eric Wilton as Scotland Yard Man

            Bruce Carruthers as Police Clerk

            Anne Curson as Lady with Children

            Cyril Delavanti as Railway Ticket Agent
See full cast