Watch On The Rhine [1943] by Bette Davis

"Watch on the Rhine" aptly gives title to a work of outstanding merit. Those who us who lived through the Second World War can only look back to the period setting for this film in the early stages of that war (1941) with sadness, for the world has learned nothing from all the misery and suffering accruing from that war and wars before then and since.A review for IMDb by Eric Chapman has little to praise in the film beyond the performances from Paul Lukas and Lucile Watson. Indeed Lukas is outstanding in his role, one that he brings character to as an idealist on the right side of the fence as compared to, say, when he is on the "other side" in "The Lady Vanishes". Beyond that, I cannot agree with this reviewer in his denigration of the rest of the cast, or with his lack of sympathy for the way the film's theme is handled. Yes, Bette Davis displays her many well-known gestural and speaking mannerisms but most actors/actresses do, only a handful completely lose their identities in the parts they play.I'll say no more beyond acknowledging that the ending puts me in mind of a work of my own (dedicated to the innocent victims of war and violence) that I shall refrain from giving title to:"Tomorrow we move on, come what may. They think they have eliminated us. In their eyes, they have. Freedom--true freedom--serves only the departed of this Earth. For a little, still, no matter how long, we go in search of a city hewn out of rock that may not fall away from us--delude us?"The reproduction in sound and vision is good. Forget what we critics might have to say and watch the film with an open mind. It will be good value whatever your conclusions might be.

Bette Davis is totally convincing as the wife of a German national who is fighting the Nazis in pre-war America. Both uplifting and poignant, this film is worth seeing.

Good

value for money

Enjoyed this film very much but Bette Davis can do no wrong first class

very moving, wonderfully acted.

Awesome film, I really enjoyed it. Quick delivery and the item was in perfect condition.

This film is brilliant - Bette Davis at her best.A German underground leader arrives Washington DC with his family but finds but finds the Nazi terror has a very long reach. Lillian Hellman's brilliant 1941 stage hit adapted for film justly deserves its New York Film Critics 1943 Best Picture prize. Paul Lukas repeats his role for which he justly received an Oscar and Bette Davis, is at her best as his wife. Lucie Watson and George Coulouris (as a shady blackmailer) also reprise their stage roles.

A film about fighting the fascist Nazi threat in Europe while much of America was isolationist. This film is well done, acted and prescient. Betty Davis took a lesser role because she felt that the film had an important message. It is a Paul Lukas vehicle. I highly recommend.

it is all about patriotism and the values that molded us...so many take freedom for granted..it was sweat earned

This is a fantastic movie that details the importance of what it means to care about the circumstances and the plight of “others”. The setting is WW11, and the later involvement of the United States taking interest in eliminating the tyranny of the Nazis that pervaded the lives of many and, where fighting by any means was necessary despite one’s physical location. The need to ensure freedoms will be preserved by any means necessary, fighting for this at any cost!.

Betty Davis is great.

A lot to it