Tags
Language
Tags
April 2024
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 1 2 3 4

Secret People (1952)

Posted By: ChumPaa
Secret People (1952)

Secret People (1952)
A Film by Thorold Dickinson
DVD5 | VIDEO_TS | PAL | MPEG 2 | 4:3 | 1h 30min | 720x576 | 25 fps | AC3 2ch 192Kbps
Lang: English | Subs: None | Cover + Extras | 4.52 GB
Genre: Crime | Drama

IMDB
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
Directed by: Thorold Dickinson
Starring: Valentina Cortese, Serge Reggiani, Charles Goldner

Storyline: In 1930, Maria Brentano and her younger sister Nora flee to London after their father is murdered by a European dictator. Seven years later, during a weekend trip to Paris, Maria unexpectedly meets Louis, her former lover who is now plotting the assassination of the dictator. Maria and Nora become involved in the plan, which goes tragically wrong when the time bomb they plant kills an innocent bystander.
This is a seriously under-rated work of classical British film art on a compelling subject and is as relevant to London life today as it ever was. Considering this film was released in 1952 it explores so perceptively the path from praiseworthy ideology, through working for a noble cause, into terrifying involvement in an act of pure terrorism. Right through you are steadily but inexorably drawn with a lure of truth and justice, into a slowly evolving web of intrigue, conspiracy and ultimately murder, and it leaves you wondering at which point do you actually stray from idealism and decency into cold depravity? Given the '50s context, centred on an urban minority family, the actual plot is still frighteningly relevant and this film is surely just waiting for a re-make to bring it chillingly up to date. Until then, if you can find a copy of this film, watch it - its a vital and absorbing education, in the grand old style, on the strong subject of ideology.

by shbruce
Screenshots:

Secret People (1952)

Secret People (1952)

Secret People (1952)

Secret People (1952)

Secret People (1952)

Secret People (1952)

Secret People (1952)

Secret People (1952)

DVD Extras:
* Film analysis by film critic and author Philip Horne (11:38)
* Original Theatrical Trailer