Man Hunt

Directed by: Fritz Lang

Starring: Walter Pidgeon, Joan Bennett, George Sanders, Roddy McDowall

Synopsis:

Bavaria, 1939: renowned hunter Capt. Allan Thorndike is on vacation when he finds himself with Hitler within his rifle sights. However before he can pull the trigger he is captured and tortured. Before he can be forced to sign a confession that would implicate the British Government in his actions, Thorndyke manages to escape back to England. However, a team of German agents are on his tail, and the only person who can help him escape is a plucky young woman called Jerry Stokes...

Review:

Made in 1941, Manhunt is very much a propaganda piece but one of the highest order, and one that isn’t afraid to criticise the lethargy shown by England and it’s Allies in dealing with Hitler and Germany.

On a mountain ledge in Bavaria, Capt Thorndike puts his eye to his rifle scope and gazes down upon Hitler’s mountain retreat, capturing the Fuhrer in his crosshairs. He pulls the trigger, but the only sound is the click of the bolt snapping forward. Thorndike later asserts that it was merely a “sporting hunt”, the skill is in getting close enough to take the shot, not the shot itself. However, instead of leaving, Thorndike loads his gun and gets ready to take the shot for real…when he is jumped upon by a German guard.

It would have been interesting to know, given that the film was made in 1941, how that opening scene was received. Imagine being in the US, one year after 9/11, watching a movie in which a sniper has the opportunity to take out Osama Bin Laden, but decides against it, or is prevented at the last moment. Thorndike asserts that he never actually intended to shoot Hitler, the thrill was in the chase. Major Quive-Smith (Sanders) doesn’t believe him, and wants Thorndike to not only sign a confession, but to implicate the British Government into his actions, thereby inciting WW2.

Fritz Lang’s skilful use of light and shadow is much in evidence, especially during the scenes of Thorndike’s interrogation at the hands of Major Quive-Smith. Just using silhouettes and sound fx, Lang is able to convey the brutal treatment handed out.

Thorndike manages to escape and return to London, but immediately finds himself being hunted by a group of German agents, being led initially by (A youthful Roddy McDowell). He manages to evade them by coercing local girl Jerry Stokes into hiding him briefly in her apartment.

The one issue I have with Man Hunt is the broad accents, especially those of the lower-class. First there is the golly-gosh nature of the cabin boy on the ship Thorndike stows away on, then there is the rather grating, chatterbox Eliza Dolittle voice of Jerry (Joan Bennett). It’s something intrinsic of the time, just as all fighter pilots had clipped, stiff-upper-lip English accents. The class divide is played sardonically, portraying the upper class as insular and out of touch with the “real world”.

Most of the film seems to have been filmed on interior studio sets – including Thorndike’s initial foray in Bavaria, although his escape is at least filmed on an external location. One thrilling set piece though takes place on the London Underground, which doesn’t seem to have changed all that much.

What was refreshing about the film was the lack of sentimentality. There’s a big plot moment towards the end of the film which is dealt with in a very matter-of-face manner which is quietly devastating.

Man Hunt has two climaxes. In the first, Thorndike finally confronts his attackers, and finds himself being psycho-analysed by his antagonist over whether he really intended to shoot Hitler at the beginning of the film. What happens next is the sort of last-minute lunacy one usually associates nowadays with dumb-but-fun blockbusters.

Verdict:

An entertaining thriller tinged at the edges with some propaganda.

7 out of 10 (MikeOutWest)

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