The stars of this film and the slightly intriguing plot earn "Dark Journey" its six stars. The story is supposed to be based on a true WW I romance between French and German spies. But this film isn't anything special. The performances are mostly routine - with nothing of note or no one standing out. The screenplay and production are quite loose. The sharp breaks that have major changes in scenes are awkward and seem to interrupt the continuity of the story. It reminds one of a stage production with breaks for set changes between scenes. And there's little anything of intrigue or interest in most of the routines goings on - from Madeleine's spy contacts in Stockholm and in Paris, and then the social scenes. There's hardly any sense of skullduggery or espionage. Finally, the romance that develops between the two leads doesn't seem very convincing.
Again, the cast members themselves are the reason for watching this film. While it may have helped their careers at the time, this isn't a film for which Vivien Leigh or Conrad Veidt would be remembered or lauded. Veidt is an actor who often was cast as a Nazi officer, when he had fled Nazi Germany. One interesting I noticed was the Swedish Red Cross Society and its raising of funds for war relief.
Here are some lines from the film.
Madeleine Goddard, "A girl who goes out shopping with a man means to have the whole shop."
Lupita, "Karl, I have got everything I want - have you?"
Bob Carter, "You're gonna be as safe as a church if you do as I tell you. Now, here's the program."
Again, the cast members themselves are the reason for watching this film. While it may have helped their careers at the time, this isn't a film for which Vivien Leigh or Conrad Veidt would be remembered or lauded. Veidt is an actor who often was cast as a Nazi officer, when he had fled Nazi Germany. One interesting I noticed was the Swedish Red Cross Society and its raising of funds for war relief.
Here are some lines from the film.
Madeleine Goddard, "A girl who goes out shopping with a man means to have the whole shop."
Lupita, "Karl, I have got everything I want - have you?"
Bob Carter, "You're gonna be as safe as a church if you do as I tell you. Now, here's the program."