NR | 1h 59m | Drama, War | 1951
World War II films that depict lots of epic action scenes can be exciting. Perhaps one of the most popular settings for these movies is the Battle of Normandy, which has been recreated in such groundbreaking films as “The Longest Day” (1962) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), with John Wayne and Tom Hanks storming the beaches, respectively.
What isn’t as fun to watch are the Allied intelligence missions that lead to setting up all of those epic battles. However, if handled with skill and understanding, some films can convey the importance of said espionage in a way that is not only informative, but also entertaining.
“Decision Before Dawn,” produced in 1951, is one of those films that manages to be entertaining and more. Made only a handful of years after WWII’s conclusion, it offers an authentic sense that many later films struggle to replicate. The film is based on George L. Howe’s novel “Call It Treason,” recounting his experiences as a former Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.) officer.
A Spy’s Game
As WWII reaches its climax, with the German Army cornered along the river Rhine, the Allies seek every piece of intelligence they can gather to aid in their final invasion of Germany. Lt. Dick Rennick (Richard Basehart) is assigned to a U.S. Army intelligence unit on the Western front, led by Col. Devlin (Gary Merrill). The unit’s mission is to recruit German POWs, carefully vet them, and send them across enemy lines to gather crucial information.Walking a Tightrope
The film follows Rennick, Happy, and Tiger as they undertake perilous missions behind enemy lines. What unfolds is a fascinating examination of morality, realization, and self-sacrifice.
These characters have multifaceted personalities and motivations and seem grounded in reality. Happy only volunteers after his friend gets thrown out of a window and killed by POWs still loyal to the German cause after saying some defeatist remarks. Happy says he wants to spy for the Allies since he wants to help Germany end its doomed war sooner and save itself from unnecessary death and destruction.
Interestingly, although Happy is the youngest of the main characters, he believes in his principles more than the others. On the other side of the equation is Rennick, who begins the film with a vehement hatred of Germans, but changes when something tragic happens during the last part of the film, and he is forced to re-evaluate his position.
The narrative presents a gripping exploration of the moral dilemmas faced by German spies during the twilight of WWII. These spy recruits find themselves in a precarious position, ostracized as traitors by their fellow Germans, while remaining mistrusted by the American forces.
The Allies value the spies to some degree, recognizing the potential intelligence they might uncover. The film illustrates the harsh reality of espionage: It is fraught with peril, where being caught leads to dire consequences, yet success demands unwavering secrecy.
It also boasts a grim sense of authenticity. The movie was filmed in postwar Germany, under military occupation; this captured the haunting landscape of bombed-out cities.
As a thought-provoking espionage thriller, “Decision Before Dawn” offers a nuanced perspective on Germany during the last days of the war. The film revealed a surprising empathy for many soldiers who choose to betray their country in a desperate bid to hasten the end of the war and get on with their lives.
