Wartime propaganda film highlights Norwegian resistance
“Edge of Darkness” is one of many films made during World War II that championed the Allied cause against Nazis determined to put down any resistance with an iron hand. Ironically, the film was directed by Lewis Milestone, who had brought to the screen “All Quiet on the Western Front,” a powerful anti-war picture. “Edge of Darkness,” in contrast,” is a propaganda film that espouses and even glorifies armed combat.<br /><br />In the opening scene, a Nazi patrol plane passes over a Norwegian village that is flying the Norwegian flag in defiance of the German occupiers. German troops are dispatched there and discover the village is strewn with Nazi and Norwegian dead and the troops’ commander, Capt. Koenig (Helmut Dantine), is in his office with a bullet hole in his head. In an extended flashback, we see the bitter conflict between the villagers and the Nazi invaders, particularly reactions to the stranglehold of the oppressors.<br /><br />Among the villagers is a fisherman, Gunnar Brogge (Errol Flynn), who is also a leader of the Norwegian resistance; his sweetheart, Karen Stensgard (Ann Sheridan); her doctor father (Walter Huston), who is reluctant to join the cause; her clueless mother (Ruth Gordon); elderly school teacher Sixtus Andersen (Morris Carnovsky); Kaspar Torgersen (Charles Dingle), the town’s fish cannery owner and a Nazi sympathizer; war widow Gerd Bjarnesen (Judith Anderson); and Johann Stensgard (John Beal), Karen’s brother, who has already betrayed his countrymen once and can’t be trusted. The Norwegians secretly plot under the noses of the Nazis. Even as they endure oppression, they summon the discipline to wait for the right moment to strike.<br /><br />This is not your typical Errol Flynn swashbuckler. Robert Rossen’s screenplay showcases each of the main characters, so that the movie is an ensemble rather than a star-driven picture. Flynn’s trademark derring-do is virtually absent from the early part of the film, though he has some heroic moments in the film’s third act. The movie is paced slowly in the first 45 minutes, with dialogue and exposition dominating. Numerous subplots support the main narrative. Director Milestone saves most of the action for the last 20 minutes, pulling out all the stops with excitingly staged set pieces.<br /><br />Though many of the characters are fairly stereotypical, Carnovsky’s school teacher and Huston’s Dr. Stensgard stand out. Carnovsky has an excellent scene in which he confronts Capt. Koenig with a philosophical approach — his way of resisting. The teacher’s refusal to let the Germans use his home for a barracks infuriates the captain, who decides to make an example of him. Dr. Stensgard is conflicted about the morality of the resistance, though he continues to have the respect of his fellow villagers. He never appears weak for his lack of commitment, but genuinely concerned for the consequences that may be loosed on the villagers.<br /><br />“Edge of Darkness” was one of several films released around the same time that dealt specifically with the Norwegian resistance to German occupation during World War II. Others are “They Raid By Night” (1942), “Commandos Strike at Dawn” (1942), and “First Comes Courage” (1943).<br /><br />Bonus materials on the unrated Blu-ray release from Warner Archive include the following:<br />The short subject “Gun to Gun”<br />The cartoon “To Duck… or Not To Duck”<br />Theatrical trailer<br /><br />Made during the grim days of the German blitzkrieg, “Edge of Darkness”pays tribute to the heroic spirit of common people taking up arms against the Nazi invaders. With Errol Flynn tamping down his swashbuckler image to provide an understated performance, and a first-class supporting cast, the film is not a typical war picture. It takes its time documenting the indignities to which the villagers are subjected before it lets loose with a solid action denouement.
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 {"Genre": "Military & War/World War II, Military & War/Drama", "Contributor": "Walter Huston, Nancy Coleman, Helmut Dantine, Judith Anderson, Henry Blanke, Errol Flynn, Jack L. Warner, Ruth Gordon, Ann SheridanWalter Huston, Nancy Coleman, Helmut Dantine, Judith Anderson, Henry Blanke, Errol Flynn, Jack L. Warner, Ruth Gordon, Ann Sheridan  See more", "Language": "English", "Studio": "Warner", "MPAA rating": "NR (Not Rated)", "Package Dimensions": "6.65 x 5.35 x 0.51 inches; 2.29 Ounces", "Director": "Henry Blanke, Jack L. Warner", "Release date": "January 18, 2022", "Actors": "Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan, Walter Huston, Nancy Coleman, Helmut Dantine", "Country of Origin": "USA", "Number of discs": "1"}

Here is a brief synopsis of the title : In 1930, director Lewis Milestone won an Academy Award * for his eloquent anti-war masterpiece, All Quiet on the Western Front. But with Edge of Darkness, made in 1943 during the dark days of the German blitzkrieg, Milestone displays no such pacifist sentiments. Indeed, this remarkable drama, set in a small Norwegian village, pays tribute to the heroic spirit of common people taking up arms against the Nazi invaders. Errol Flynn delivers a fine, understated performance as a common fisherman who leads the town's resistance efforts. Ann Sheridan's strong character reflects the strength of all womankind. And featured in the superb ensemble cast are Walter Huston, Ruth Gordon and Judith Anderson..