The North Star (Armored Attack) (1943)
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31% of users liked it
(125 ratings)
In this bit of WWII propaganda (designed to boost support of America's alliance with Russia against Germany), Kolya (Dana Andrews), Kurin (Walter Huston), Damian (Farley Granger), and Marina (Anne Baxter) are members of a farming collective in the Ukraine known as the North Star. The… More In this bit of WWII propaganda (designed to boost support of America's alliance with Russia against Germany), Kolya (Dana Andrews), Kurin (Walter Huston), Damian (Farley Granger), and Marina (Anne Baxter) are members of a farming collective in the Ukraine known as the North Star. The hard-working but happy members of the North Star find their way of life shattered when Germany, in defiance of previous treaties, storms the nation and begins a brutal occupation. Dr. Otto Von Harden (Erich Von Stroheim) begins gathering children -- who are to be used for blood transfusions and medical experiments. Many of the outraged farmers take to the hills to fight with the anti-Nazi resistance, while those who stay behind bravely destroy precious crops and materiel rather than turn them over to the Nazi war machine. Producer Samuel Goldwyn made The North Star at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (whose son James was an executive at Goldwyn's studio). Ironically, several members of the film's creative team (including screenwriter Lilian Hellman) later found their motivations for making the film questioned by the House Un-American Activities Committee, who declared it Communist propaganda. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Lewis Milestone
- Written By
- Lillian Hellman
- Genres
- Drama, Animation, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Nov 4, 1943 Wide
- Studio
- American Pop Classics
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Hokey.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A prime example of how Hollywood reflected the changing political climate: When Lewis Milestone's film was made, the Soviet Union was an ally but after WWII some of its makers removed their name, while others like writer Lilian Hellman were blacklisted.
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Cast
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Anne Baxter
as Marina
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Dana Andrews
as Kolya
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Walter Huston
as Dr. Kurin
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Walter Brennan
as Karp
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Farley Granger
as Damian
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Ann Harding
as Sophia
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Jane Withers
as Claudia
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Erich von Stroheim
as Dr. Otto Von Harden
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Dean Jagger
as Rodion
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Eric Roberts
as Grisha
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Carl Benton Reid
as Boris
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Ann Carter
as Olga
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Ruth Nelson
as Nadya
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Paul Guilfoyle
as Iakin
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Martin Kosleck
as Dr. Max Richter
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Tonio Selwart
as German Captain
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Robert Lowery
as Russian Pilot
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Gene O'Donnell
as Russian Gunner
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Frank Wilcox
as Petrov
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Charley Bates
as Petya
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Florence Auer
as Woman Farmer
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John Bagni
as Guard at Desk
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Art Baker
as Radio Voice
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Bill Borzage
as Accordian Player in Wagon
- Frederick Brunn
- Lane Chandler
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Edmund Cobb
as Farmer
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Grace Cunard
as Farmer's Wife
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Esther Dale
as Anna
- Emma Dunn
- Martin Faust
- Al Ferguson
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Inna Gest
as Specialty Dancer
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Teddy Infur
as Little Stinker
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John Judd
as Farmer
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George Lynn
as German Pilot
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Jerry Mickelsen
as Farmer's Son
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Sarah Padden
as Old Lady
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Patricia Parks
as Sonya
- Jack Perrin
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Minna Phillips
as Old Lady in Wagon
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Ferdinand Schumann-Heink
as Doctor's Assistant
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Clarence Straight
as Young Men in Wagon
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Harry Strang
as Guerrilla
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Ray Teal
as German Motorcycle Officer
- Bill Walker
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Crane Whitley
as German Soldier
- Ruth Gordon
- Henry Hall
- Tommy Hall
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Grace Lenard
as Woman on Bridge
- William Nestell
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Ilia Khmara
as Accordion Player
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Constant Franke
as Boris' Aide
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Joyce Tucker
as Little Girl in Hospital
- Eric Roberts (II)
