The war in the dark

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Movie
German title The war in the dark
Original title The Mysterious Lady
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1928
length 89 minutes
Rod
Director Fred Niblo
script Bess Meredyth
production Harry Rapf for MGM
camera William Daniels
cut Margaret Booth
occupation

The War in the Dark (OT: The Mysterious Lady ) is an American spy film with Greta Garbo and directed by Fred Niblo from 1928.

action

Before the First World War , Tanja, who works for the Russian secret service, had an affair with the Austrian Karl von Raden in order to obtain secret plans that he had with him. She falls in love with Karl, but steals the documents anyway. Karl is then tried in a military tribunal, but his uncle helps him escape from prison. Karl flees to Russia, where he hopes to meet Tanja again. Both realize how deep their mutual love is and Tanja decides to flee with Karl. To do this, she has to outsmart the Russian chief of espionage, Alexandroff: she tries to steal documents that Alexandroff received from an Austrian traitor. But at the moment when Tanja tries to escape from Alexandroff's apartment, he discovers her. He threatens her with a gun, both fight and Tanja shoots her enemy in self-defense. At the end of the intricate plot, she escapes across the border with Karl and a new, happy life begins for both of them.

background

The film was based on Ludwig Wolff's novel War in the Dark . The spy drama premiered on August 4, 1928. The idea of ​​using Garbo as a spy gave the studio ample opportunity to present the actress in revealing clothes and erotic situations. Apparently, it was exactly what the audience wanted because, despite an uninspired script, the film went very well at the box office. One of the involuntary climaxes of the story comes when Tanja, after shooting the general, gets on his lap to deceive the staff. The viewer sees the Garbo in the tender tête-à-tête with a corpse.

Theatrical release

The production cost was an average of $ 337,000 for one film. Box office earnings in the US were $ 543,000, with an additional $ 551,000 coming from overseas markets. A cumulative result of $ 1,084,000 showed how great Greta Garbo's popularity was outside of the United States. The profit was $ 369,000.

Reviews

The critics were benevolent, but criticized the unconvincing script.

Motion Picture Magazine dispelled two prejudices about the physical advantages of the leading actress:

“Greta Garbo's latest film is apt to disprove those two disrespectful remarks by Jim Tully: that Greta was anemic and flat-chested. She walks around with unusual nonchalance and strength and wears clothes that are more familiar to Barbara La Marr . Greta is a beautiful spy and too attractive to miss this film. "

The competition paper Screenland found it difficult to find the right words to describe the uniqueness of the Swedish star. The critic tried anyway:

“They have a long journey ahead of them, probably to Sweden, before they find a girl comparable to Greta Garbo. And I dare to doubt that. Greta is what the expression 'young woman' means. She is completely woman and every woman at the same time - she reflects the best of everyone else. "

Web links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Greta Garbo's latest picture is devoted to disproving those two disagreeable statements of Jim Tully's - that Greta is anemic and flat-chested. She darts about displaying unwonted vim and vigor, and wears gowns that might very appropriately have adorned Barbara La Marr . Greta as a beautiful lady spy is too alluring to miss.
  2. ↑ You'll have to go a long way - to Sweden, probably - before you'll find another girl like Greta Garbo. And even then, I doubt it. Greta is what you mean when you say "Girl." She is all girl and all girls - retaining the best features of each.