Confessions of a Nazi Spy

I thoroughly enjoyed, and respected, this movie. Released, amazingly, in 1939, it accurately predicts a great deal of how World War II would eventually play out. After a somewhat slow, and a little bit muddled start, this film really takes off. Right around the time that we are introduced to Edward G. Robinson's character, in fact, the plot begins its twists and turns, at a breakneck pace, all the way to its taut conclusion. The beginning is primarily concerned with documentary-style footage of Nazi Germany, and of various pro-Nazi organizations inside (!) the United States during the late 1930's. These pro-Reich groups, sometimes called "Bunds", were especially active on the east coast. Documentaries like The World At War can provide additional insights into these pro-Hitler groups, in places like New York City and New Jersey. The plot then carefully develops its theme of how subversive acts, espionage, propaganda, and dangerous manipulation can often be traced directly to these groups. Based on real events, FBI agent Edward G. Robinson engages in deep analysis, sleuthing, and dogged footwork to track down dangerous spies and their confederates. It's intricate and time-consuming work, but the movie is never dull. You will be on the edge of your seat as you watch how his character goes all-out to stay one step ahead of these enemy agents. The film is brilliantly directed by Anatole Litvak, who would later go on to establish a highly successful career in film noir. Here, he is edgy, suspenseful, tense, and scary in his direction. I honestly thought that some of the enemy agents might actually get away with their treachery, which made the film thoroughly gripping. The cast is uniformly good, but Robinson, as usual, is a joy to watch; he's totally believable in his role as a tough and extremely clever antagonist to the Nazis. He's brave, forceful, but also subtly intelligent. What is also interesting is that his character here anticipates the Nazi hunter he later plays so effectively in Orson Welles' The Stranger, in 1947. It's uncanny -- even down to smoking the same kind of pipe. This is undoubtedly a brave film, being made in 1939 by Warner Bros. Studios, before the war had even broken out! It was gutsy to call Nazi Germany's bluff in such a dramatic fashion. And the movie correctly anticipates Germany's moves into Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium, and their eventual invasion of Norway. It's actually eerie that they could predict the upcoming events of the war so accurately. It's chilling. Obviously, I thought this was an outstanding piece of movie-making. It can be enjoyed as a spy thriller, as a cat and mouse procedural, and certainly as a vital historical document. It completely deserves its five stars.

This is a very good film. Warner Bros should be applauded for making it at a time when the U.S. was very isolationist and the American public,due to World War one, wanted nothing to do with foreign wars or entanglements. Also Germany wasn't at war with any nation and Hollywood films were playing in Germany. No other studio would touch this stuff. Warmers could have easily renamed Germany and the Nazis something else but they did not. The film is a little over the top at times but I suppose it has to be. There were death threats to all important people involved in the production of this film. Still it was made. This movie broke ground and it should be respected for that. I respectfully recommend its purchase.

One of my favorite movies about the dangers of fascism. Pre war Hollywood as a whole didn't want to rock the boat with Germany because Germany was such a big customer of Hollywood movies. Thank you Warner Bros. for giving this country a slap in the face with this wake up movie about the Nazi threat in this country and the world. I wish this movie was shown in history classes even today.

This 1939 movie was scripted from court records. The producers required the script follow the true legal record of the Nazi party and Gestapo's efforts to organize and destroy America within. They recruited naive Americans to do their bidding so they could look innocent. American military secrets were stolen by American's, largely due to having no German accent.Hmm, what game plan does this remind you of?Highly recommended.

Above average movie providing us with insight into the the wartime subterfuge being carried out on our home shores by various Nazi political groups of the era. At that point our biggest threat of sabotage was from within. There were many Nazi sympathizers who would gladly sell our nations secrets to Germany, and Japan for that matter. This foray into the German-American Bund ( an organization of Neo-Nazis formed to promote a more favorable view of Nazi Germany to Americans) is well presented here with great directing and acting. Shot in B&W it becomes more identifiable with wartime America in the early 40's. Worth the purchase price.

This film was very effective propaganda and was labeled as such by the New York Times film critic after it debuted. Always there are those trying to get the US involved in problems and wars that have nothing to do with us.

7.5/10 means this movie is quite good, and worth watching more than once (which I find to be quite rare).Astute observers will notice a certain symmetry to current events.

Great movie with a great actor. Loved this movie. Very well done. To be recommended.

this film is a masterpiece of suspence in film noir - a must watch!

great movie about spies.

Edward G. Robinson has a cameo role in this film rather than a lead. George Sanders has a more significant role as a Nazi just as he played in 'Man Hunt'. His performance in 'Man Hunt' was better because he spoke German, and his English had a German accent. The dialogue is good, but the film as a whole is very slow. Robinson and Sanders were better together in 'Tales of Manhattan'.