Tödlicher Sturm

Powerful anti-Nazism, anti-fascism drama.

Follows the lives of a German family and their friends as Hitler comes to power in the 1930s, and the results of this change. Explores very directly the effects of Nazi rule, how freedoms are lost and the right to be different and think differently is destroyed. Shows very vividly the effect of group-think/mob-think and the cult of personality.

Yes, it was made during World War 2, so is to some extent a propaganda movie. However, the themes explored can be applied to any fascist country.

Can be compared to Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator", which was released in the same year. While Chaplin used satire and comedy to mock the Nazis, this movie is pure drama, and stands alongside The Great Dictator in exposing the evil that was Nazism.

This film is nothing short of a masterpiece ! For its time. Although the world situation has changed completely today, and the film may have little or no relevance to the current world situation, at the time in 1940, this was a very very powerful work indeed ! I had always been curious about this film, having read the book when I was young ( in the 1960's ) and was shocked by it ! It's not a war film and it's not the war aspect that frightened me. No, its the way a happily united family can become so disunited because of politics which sent shivers up my spine !! Suddenly, a peaceful and harmonious situation changes dramatically, and you are obliged to take sides, even fighting against your own blood. It really is awesome. Acting is first-rate and image, though in black and white is more than passable for the period ! I can well imagine the film to have been a very powerful piece of anti-Nazi propaganda ! I'm sorry to have to complain about this again but here we have yet another film which should have been out on DVD for several years but ........ there's no sign of it !

Quite honestly, I found this quite unnerving to watch and felt ill at ease observing the gradual breakdown within the family. It certainly isn't a film for the faint hearted and I won't go any further than mention briefly that AWFUL final scene ........!!

This was certainly one of the most dramatic, stirring and memorable movies I have seen, and I watch A LOT of movies. It cuts deep by hitting close to home...the family, subtly inferring how even strong families with great values can be divided by changing ideas in politics or even religion. Before this movie, I wondered how Hitler could make everyone blindly follow him SO obsessively. What magic did Hitler have over these people? We saw MILLIONS in news clips with their arm in the air claiming "HEIL (sp?) Hitler!" After seeing this movie, I understand more. Not everyone agreed with Hitler's beliefs, but those who didn't were ostracized, imprisoned, beaten, or tortured. MANY WERE FORCED TO COMPLY, and immediately attacked if they didn't comply with the songs, the salute, or even spoke against Hitler. Europeans in the 30's didn't have the opportunity to move and get away from a dangerous environment the way we do now, and people then did trust the words of leaders more and follow more blindly. It was a different age; a different way of thinking, and someone was brave enough to make this movie to show how deep beliefs CAN tear families apart. Hitler had influence over a lot of the people, but promoted ideas such as violently cleansing the country of anyone who was different or who thought differently, so those who did follow Hitler bullied those who didn't. Some stayed strong with their own values and paid with their lives, others stayed strong by just faking submission, knowing that soon it would pass and they would live through it. There is not as much violence or other atrocities like new movies, but I would say "not for the (emotionally tender) faint of heart". It's a story of the Germans and how they were affected; no scenes of the holocaust here. Maybe because in 1940 so few people realized the horrors that were really going on, or maybe the filmmaker wanted to show the effect this had on the Germans, since little has been produced from that angle. If we don't study history, history will repeat itself, and I can easily see this situation happening again with other groups of people in the next few years. I actually feel privileged to have seen it, in order to understand politics and human nature and how Nazism could have affected people in WWII.

This is probably one of the best anti-Nazi films produced in Hollywood before the US entry into WWII. The film does an excellent job in a very melodramatic "MGM" way of showing how an ordinary town and its citizens willingly and some unwillingly were affected by the state policies that National Socialism brought. It's too bad that the studios didn't make more of these films in those days. A fine cast headed by James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan make this an great film to watch. Watch for early performances by actors Robert Young, Robert Stack and Dan Dailey.

Sincere, moving story about the Nazi takeover in Germany and its affect on one family in particular. The father (Frank Morgan) is sent to a concentration camp. His stepsons become ardent Nazis, as does the man who was supposed to marry his daughter (Margaret Sullavan). This also drives a wedge between the sons and a lifelong friend (James Stewart), who is in love with Sullavan.

Beautifully acted with fine performances from all. Stewart and Sullavan are amazing. Robert Young, usually playing good guy parts, here plays a Nazi. Bonita Granville does well, as does Ward Bond in a villainous part. Maria Ouspenskaya is brilliant as usual. But the best kudos would have to go to Frank Morgan for his sensitive, intelligent performance. Possibly the finest of his career. Robert Stack also appears as one of the Nazi stepsons and plays a part in the film's powerful final scene.

This is truly a classic in every sense of the word. It's a movie that should be seen by everybody, both for its content as well as its historical value.