During WWII, the Hollywood propaganda machine went into full gear making tons of war films intended to drum up support for the fight against the Axis. Part of this included some extremely pro-Soviet films. After all, they'd been America's enemies for decades and now they were in an alliance to beat the new enemy. Nearly all of these films (such as "The North Star") are pretty terrible--idealizing the Russian people ridiculously. They all were happy, dedicated and, inexplicably, seemingly free.
By the time "The Red Danube" came out, however, the war had ended and relations with the Soviets had soured...badly. Now the Soviets had revealed their plan for 'a new world order'...and it included setting up puppet states all over Eastern Europe. And, the Russian people went from sweet and happy to ruthless and conniving!!
This film shows the transition. When the story begins, the Soviets are still allies...overseeing the administration of a portion of the conquered city of Vienna (much like with Berlin). Colonel Nicobar (Walter Pidgeon) is a Canadian officer in the British Army and he's just been transferred to Vienna with his staff. He is to cooperate with the Soviets with repatriating civilians. In other words, a lot of folks were displaced by the war and now they were being forced to go back to their original homeland. The Russians really want their citizens returned to them and at first Nicobar has no problem doing this, as it's part of his official duties. Over time, however, he has a crisis of conscience and realizes these displace people are likely being sent to gulags or death!
In some ways, I liked the cast and in others it was terrible...just terrible. Walter Pidgeon really was a Canadian and his staff (Peter Lawford and Angela Lansbury) were real Brits. BUT, as for the rest...well, it was just sad. Ethel Barrymore is cast as the Reverend Mother and seems about as Austrian as Betty Boop. But even worse is Janet Leigh, who sounds about as Russian as Mantan Moreland!! Inexplicably, she played a Soviet officer several years later in the god-awful "Jet Pilot"...with zero trace of an accent and all the acting skills of a mannequin! As for the story, it was enjoyable and worth your time. Overall, the film is a very interesting curio that COULD have been a great one had the casting been better.
By the time "The Red Danube" came out, however, the war had ended and relations with the Soviets had soured...badly. Now the Soviets had revealed their plan for 'a new world order'...and it included setting up puppet states all over Eastern Europe. And, the Russian people went from sweet and happy to ruthless and conniving!!
This film shows the transition. When the story begins, the Soviets are still allies...overseeing the administration of a portion of the conquered city of Vienna (much like with Berlin). Colonel Nicobar (Walter Pidgeon) is a Canadian officer in the British Army and he's just been transferred to Vienna with his staff. He is to cooperate with the Soviets with repatriating civilians. In other words, a lot of folks were displaced by the war and now they were being forced to go back to their original homeland. The Russians really want their citizens returned to them and at first Nicobar has no problem doing this, as it's part of his official duties. Over time, however, he has a crisis of conscience and realizes these displace people are likely being sent to gulags or death!
In some ways, I liked the cast and in others it was terrible...just terrible. Walter Pidgeon really was a Canadian and his staff (Peter Lawford and Angela Lansbury) were real Brits. BUT, as for the rest...well, it was just sad. Ethel Barrymore is cast as the Reverend Mother and seems about as Austrian as Betty Boop. But even worse is Janet Leigh, who sounds about as Russian as Mantan Moreland!! Inexplicably, she played a Soviet officer several years later in the god-awful "Jet Pilot"...with zero trace of an accent and all the acting skills of a mannequin! As for the story, it was enjoyable and worth your time. Overall, the film is a very interesting curio that COULD have been a great one had the casting been better.