The Pied Piper (1942)

100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(148 ratings)

Monty Woolley plays an irascible Englishman who insists that he dislikes children. While on a vacation in France, the Nazis invade the country. Reluctantly, Woolley agrees to transport several French children into England. As the flight to freedom becomes more treacherous, Woolley grows fonder of… More Monty Woolley plays an irascible Englishman who insists that he dislikes children. While on a vacation in France, the Nazis invade the country. Reluctantly, Woolley agrees to transport several French children into England. As the flight to freedom becomes more treacherous, Woolley grows fonder of his young charges and vows that they'll be kept safe. The group is detained by German officer Otto Preminger, who finally allows Woolley and the children safe passage--provided they take Preminger's niece to England as well. Pied Piper was based on a novel by British author Nevil Shute. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Irving Pichel
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jul 8, 1942 Wide

Critic Reviews

Theodore Strauss, New York Times
Irresistably entertaining.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Sentimental wartime story that never fully recovers from its contrivances.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, Pied Piper is a sentimental but well acted propaganda film, made at the height of WWII.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A warm, loving, heart-tugging story.
, Film4
Monty Woolley stars as a pig-headed English misanthrope leading an unusual group of refugees out of France in spring 1940.
Trevor Johnston, Time Out
Baxter falters as the mademoiselle who comes to their aid, but the film does well by an obviously contrived scenario.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
[It] keeps things moving and shows a real knack for balancing the comedic and more serious aspects.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Cast

            Monty Woolley as Howard

            Anne Baxter as Nicole Rougeron

            Roddy McDowall as Ronnie Cavanaugh

            Otto Preminger as Maj. Diessen

            Peggy Ann Garner as Sheila Cavanaugh

            Lester Matthews as Mr. Cavanaugh

            J. Carrol Naish as Aristide Rougeron

            Jill Esmond as Mrs.Cavanaugh

            Ferike Boros as Madame

            Merrill Rodin as Willem

            Maurice R. Tauzin as Pierre

            Ficurette Zama as Rose

            William Edmunds as Frenchman

            Marcel Dalio as Foquet

            Edward Ashley as Charendon

            Morton Lowry as Roger Dickinson

            Marcelle Corday as Madame Bonne

            Odette Myrtil as Mme. Rougeron

            Robert O. Davis as Lieutenant

            Henry Rowland as Military Policeman

            Helmut Dantine as Aide

            George Davis as Barman

            Wilson Benge as Waiter

            Adrienne D'Ambricourt as Servant

            Jean De Briac as Fisherman

            Jean Del Val as Railroad Official

            Henry Guttman as German Soldier

            Brandon Hurst as Majordomo

            Thomas Louden as Medford

            Otto Reichow
            
            Hans Von Morhart
            
            Hans Heinrich von Twardowski as Sergeant

            William Yetter Jr. as Officer at Road

            Ernst Hausman as Soldier
See full cast

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