A mixed bag of historical drama and Russian folklore, heroic Michael Strogoff (Anton Walbrook) finds himself on a mission for the czar Alexander II to get secret plans across enemy lines. Along the way, he helps a lady in distress (Elizabeth Allen of "A Tale of Two Cities" and "David Copperfield") while dealing with a Mata Hari like spy (Margot Grahame) and striving to avoid capture by Muslim enemies. Often tedious and slow moving, this is infrequently exciting and filled with nail biting moments of enemy attack and a frightening moment of Strogoff in enemy hands.
Lacking the believable historical detail of similar melodramas made by other major studios, this lacks an A list cast, a few of whom (particularly Eric Blore and Edward Brophy) are strangely out of place. The physical detail is quite good, but it flows episodically and without structure. Walbrook is sincere in his portrayal, and Faye Bainter adds pathos as his long suffering mother. But as good as it often looks, I found much of it forced, more like a Russian version of "Gunga Din" and "Beau Geste" with all the passion removed.
Lacking the believable historical detail of similar melodramas made by other major studios, this lacks an A list cast, a few of whom (particularly Eric Blore and Edward Brophy) are strangely out of place. The physical detail is quite good, but it flows episodically and without structure. Walbrook is sincere in his portrayal, and Faye Bainter adds pathos as his long suffering mother. But as good as it often looks, I found much of it forced, more like a Russian version of "Gunga Din" and "Beau Geste" with all the passion removed.