The Spy in Black (U-Boat 29) (1939)

100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(390 ratings)

The Spy In Black is the story of a German World War I submarine captain (Conrad Veidt) who is given a mission to discover British intelligence secrets. Once he arrives in the Orkney Islands, he meets up with a female schoolteacher (Valerie Hobson), who happens to be a German agent. Veidt falls in… More The Spy In Black is the story of a German World War I submarine captain (Conrad Veidt) who is given a mission to discover British intelligence secrets. Once he arrives in the Orkney Islands, he meets up with a female schoolteacher (Valerie Hobson), who happens to be a German agent. Veidt falls in love with Hobson before discovering she's actually a double agent for the British. In America, Spy in Black was originally released under the title U-Boat 29. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

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Directed By: Michael Powell
Written By: Emeric Pressburger
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Special Interest

In Theaters: Aug 12, 1939 Limited
Studio: Criterion Collection

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Veidt has a strong role for which he's admirably suited. Sebastian Shaw is excellent as the English naval officer. Valerie Hobson, as the other spy, is creditable.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Darkness, foreboding and regret, rather than any sense of propaganda, dominate this extraordinarily atmospheric World War I spy story made on the eve of World War II
Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
U-Boat 29 is the most exciting spy melodrama since the advent of the Second World War.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The film is dark and beautifully textured, though not as visually rich as the later, higher-budgeted Powell pictures.
Peter Freedman, Radio Times
Strong writing combines with striking cinematography and talented direction to make this a satisfying entertainment.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Veidt is sensational.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Powell fuses Pressburger's amusing detail work into a dapper study
Sky Hirschkron, Stylus Magazine
It's a peculiar and rather wonderful mismatch of subject matter and tone that, if not a success at elucidating great moral complexities of war, asks us to take unusual and perhaps unflattering pleasure in old intrigues.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A marvelous B film spy yarn.
Daniel Etherington, Film4
The Spy In Black may fall short of being a classic, but you can't argue with just how thought-provoking a film it is -- and it's a gripping, entertaining wartime thriller to boot.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Chris B

A solid and fun early British film from Michael Powell, "The Spy in Black" shows his early prowess with the camera. Even though It's considered a B film, the interior and exterior shots are captured surprisingly well and the use of angles adds to the intrigue and… More
A solid and fun early British film from Michael Powell, "The Spy in Black" shows his early prowess with the camera. Even though It's considered a B film, the interior and exterior shots are captured surprisingly well and the use of angles adds to the intrigue and secrecy in the film. The movie is about a German submarine captain named Conrad Veidt who receives orders to infiltrate and gather intelligence to destroy a British Fleet. The other spies and people involved in the mission may not be who they seem. The only drawbacks, from an otherwise enjoyable film, was the held back movements and actions of both the Germans and English during crucial scenes. For examples of this look at the woman spy who is alone with the German officer, he literally sits his pistol down to change and she does nothing even though only a few feet away. Aside from the scenes not flowing too realistically, I enjoyed the movie as a whole. If you are into B films or just older British films of the action/suspense genre, this is a solid and entertaining one.
Emily B

Michael Powell's first collaboration with Pressburger. Whilst clearly not as good as their later works, 'The Spy In Black' is still an entertaining War thriller with enough twists in the plot to keep you interested throughout.

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Cast

Conrad Veidt
as Capt. Hardt
Sebastian Shaw
as Cdr. Davis Blacklock
Valerie Hobson
as Jill Blacklock
Marius Goring
as Lt. Schuster
June Duprez
as Anne Burnett
Mary Morris
as Chauffeuse
Athole Stewart
as Rev. Hector Matthews
Agnes Laughlan
as Mrs. Matthews
Helen Haye
as Mrs. Sedley
Cyril Raymond
as Rev. John Harris
George Summers
as Capt. Ratter
Hay Petrie
as Chief Engineer
Margaret Moffat
as Kate
Grant Sutherland
as Bob Bratt
Kenneth Warrington
as Commander Denis
Robert Rendel
as Admiral
Torin Thatcher
as Submarine officer
Esma Cannon
as Unnamed Character
Skelton Knaggs
as Unnamed Character
Bernard Miles
as Desk Clerk

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The Spy in Black (U-Boat 29) (1939)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Chris B

Emily B

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