Füge eine Handlung in deiner Sprache hinzuIt's 1917. In Russia, the Communist revolution is in full swing. Stephen 'Steve' Locke is a British agent in Russia. The main task of Steve is to prevent the Bolsheviks, led by Joseph Stalin... Alles lesenIt's 1917. In Russia, the Communist revolution is in full swing. Stephen 'Steve' Locke is a British agent in Russia. The main task of Steve is to prevent the Bolsheviks, led by Joseph Stalin, to sign in Petrograd a separate treaty with the Germans. Germany had been at war with it... Alles lesenIt's 1917. In Russia, the Communist revolution is in full swing. Stephen 'Steve' Locke is a British agent in Russia. The main task of Steve is to prevent the Bolsheviks, led by Joseph Stalin, to sign in Petrograd a separate treaty with the Germans. Germany had been at war with its neighbors. Steve has to deal with Elena Moura, the attractive secretary of Lenin and spy... Alles lesen
- Auszeichnungen
- 2 wins total
- Poohbah Evans
- (as Ivan Simpson)
- Commissioner of War Trotsky
- (as J. Carroll Naish)
- Maria Nikolaievna
- (as Marina Schubert)
- Lloyd George
- (as George Pearce)
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True, at 80 minutes the story is rushed - it could've been a bit longer, especially to give more depth to the relationship that develops between Steve (Leslie Howard) and Elena (Kay Francis). They seem to declare love rather quickly. However, thanks to the good actors involved, it's not too implausible. One feels sympathy for all the characters, and understanding of both sides - no small feat, considering the opposing political views.
This film provides an effective introductory history lesson, a relatively unbiased portrayal of two different countries/ideologies, and a gripping love story. It's not easy to juggle all these elements into a cohesive whole, but I believe "British Agent" does a fine job of educating *and* entertaining. Sometimes you *can* mix business with pleasure.
Howard seems to be a futile sort of individual, the headliner who gets to witness others trying to do great things while he makes impassioned speeches to Miss Francis. It's those other actors who keep the futile plot alive and offer interesting performances, like Cesar Romero, William Gargan, and Ivan F. Simpson. It's constantly interesting, but there's far too much talk. In its efforts to make no one a villain, it makes no one particularly heroic, which is probably why it has vanished from consciousness: just another competently rendered potboiler that kept everyone working.
When Locke is sent back to Petrograd to stall the Soviet's armistice with Germany (which would endanger the Allies on the western front), Elena is now secretary to a certain V. Lenin, and from there the melodrama ignites. Short on romance, but long on suspenseful political drama and schemes. Leslie Howard is terrific as usual, and Michael Curtiz' direction is crackling. You have to hand it to a top-drawer director for illustrating political upheaval with such entertaining panache. Also hard to overlook is a young actor named Cesar Romero, displaying a light comedic touch.
Watching 'British Agent' recently, to me the film could have been a good deal better than it turned out. It is definitely worth seeing for the two leads and is always intriguing with a good deal of atmosphere, but the writing and storytelling fall short of living up to full potential. With a longer length and if it took its time more, 'British Agent' would have felt a lot more fleshed out. While Curtiz doesn't fare too badly in his directing, he definitely went on to do better in subjects that were more in his comfort zone.
Starting with the negatives, 'British Agent' is too short, would have given it about 15-20 minutes longer, and too rushed. The romance especially suffers, far too hastily written and underdeveloped as well as straining in credulity later on. With so much going on in a short length and some of it complicated, it does give a bit convoluted at times.
The dialogue at times rambles and the film can be a little too talk heavy. While the cast are fine mostly, William Gargon came over as too annoying for my tastes.
Howard and Francis however are both very strong in their roles, Howard subtly charismatic and steely and Francis glamorous and forceful without being melodramatic. Despite issues with the way the romance is written, their chemistry is smoldering. The supporting cast on the whole do fine, Gargon is the exception. Curtiz's direction is accomplished, despite moments where a still finding his feet feel creeps in, and has great atmospheric style.
Furthermore, the production values are very stylish and atmospheric. The music is suitably ominous and the dialogue generally is tight and provokes a lot of thought. The story, while flawed in execution, is intriguing and suspenseful at least.
Concluding, a lot to like but falls short. 6/10.
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- WissenswertesYou can't tell, but during shooting Kay Francis had an accident in which she cut an artery in her wrist. Later biographers speculated that it was an actual suicide attempt, but there is no proof of this. Francis claimed that she accidentally locked herself out of her home and broke a window with her hand, cutting herself.
- PatzerWhen Elena tells Stephen about having gathered evidence against him in pretending to be his agent, they are standing closer together in the close-ups than they are in the subsequent long shot.
- Zitate
Bob Medill: [after seeing the gypsy singer throw back a glass of vodka] If her eyes don't water after that, she can't possibly be a good girl.
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Details
- Erscheinungsdatum
- Herkunftsland
- Sprachen
- Auch bekannt als
- Britanski agent
- Drehorte
- Produktionsfirma
- Weitere beteiligte Unternehmen bei IMDbPro anzeigen
- Laufzeit
- 1 Std. 20 Min.(80 min)
- Farbe
- Sound-Mix
- Seitenverhältnis
- 1.37 : 1