Customer Reviews

British Intelligence

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's no classic, but Karloff fans will like this "B" picture full of twists and turns as you try to figure out just who's the good guy and who's the bad guy.

Best of all it's short and to the point. A virtue that Hollywood seems to be lacking these days.

British Intelligence has more betrayals than a faculty tenure meeting, more twists and turns than a lobbyist testifying before Congress. It takes place in London in 1917. World War I seems an endless conflict, with British secrets making their way to the Germans and the British determined to catch the master German spy, Franz Strendler. This is a great example of a solid B movie, carefully crafted, that packs more complex adventure into 61 minutes than you might believe.

Let's see...there's Boris Karloff as Valdar, a French refugee serving as a butler in the household of Arthur Bennett (Holmes Herbert), a British cabinet minister. Or is Valdar really a German spy, Karl Schiller? Wait, is he a British spy after all? There's Margaret Lindsay...is she an English nurse near the front lines or is she a German spy, Helene Von Lorbeer? Or is she a refugee, Frances Hautry? Or perhaps she's one of the best spies the British have. And hidden from them all is the mysterious, ruthless German, Franz Strendler. "He has no soul, no conscience," one character says. "He'd kill you or me...for duty." It all comes together one night when the British cabinet comes to Arthur Bennett's home for a secret meeting. Overhead, German zeppelins begin a bombing attack on a darkened London. With explosives tearing the night apart, Strendler shows his hand with a bomb designed to obliterate the cabinet members. Colonel James Yates (Leonard Mudie), head of British Intelligence, leads a well-planned countermove that reveals who really are the German spies. Strendler almost succeeds...but almost isn't good enough.

British Intelligence was designed to explain the stakes of the new conflict to American audiences and to demonstrate the unshakeable resolve of the British. One Prussian officer wearing a spiked helmet has this to say at the start of the movie: "Victory must be ours! We have but one objective...to win the war even if we have to fight the entire world! No nation, no group of nations can stop our advance...the advance of German culture! We are destined to conquer the world!"

But Colonel Yates of British Intelligence has the last word. "We fight wars," he says, "only because we crave peace so ardently, and we pray that each war will be the last. But always in the strange scheme of things some maniac with a lust for power arises and in one moment destroys the peace and tranquility we've created through the ages. We hate war. We despise it. But when war comes, we must and will fight on and on and on..."

As I say, it's a B movie but well crafted. Boris Karloff does a fine job, whether staring at a person with icy eyes or obsequiously shuffling away with a limp and a bowed head. This Alpha Video DVD looks surprisingly good. The picture is soft but clean, barely faded and easy to look at. There are no extras.

Set during the last part of World War I, this spy thriller begins with the frustrations of the British military over the way the Germans seem to know their next move before they even do. It's obvious there is a spy or leak somewhere that needs to be stopped if they are to have any success in the War. Boris Karloff and Margaret Lindsay enter into the picture. Individually or together, they could be British agents, German agents, or double agents, and the true identity of each is revealed at the climax. The two spies test each other throughout the film as a plot to kill the British cabinet begins to unfold. The film moves along briskly, with a running time of around an hour. I have to admit that I was occasionally confused by the plot, although by the film's final moments I had figured it all out. Karloff, limping and with a scar, is good as the more sinister (naturally) of the two agents, while Lindsay does a competent job as his female counterpart. The last few minutes are devoted to rallying the public at the outset of World War Two when this was produced, with a poorly concealed speech about Hitler. It's definitely heavy handed, yet it is fun to watch as a sign of the time. Judging by the running time, the cast involved, and the production, this film was obviously intended as a 'B' picture, and as a modest little programmer, it succeeds fairly well. Those expecting a bigger scale production will be disappointed.

I knew that this was a 'B' movie when I purchased it. But with Boris Karloff as the lead character, I knew that this effort wasn't a total loss. I was right! This story had enough in it in the matter of twists and turns to force me to pay attention - the ending was quite surprising (I should tell you - but I won't!!). The price is right! If you want to be entertained, and don't mind 'B' movies, then may I suggest this one?

Four stars for Boris Karloff and British Intelligence!

Karloff's 1940 classic "British Intelligence" is a motion picture rife with World War 1 imagery portrayed by the generation who fought that epic struggle. Although not "sophisticated by today's standards" this flick presents spies as agents and double agents working diligent for king and country (both English and German). The plot, costumes, sets, and acting give this movie a turn of the 20th century feeling.

The best parts of this production are the World War 1 trench battles scenes, various bi-wingers' dogfight, a quick real-life bi-wing plane's crash, the rich man's period Rolls Royce, and dastardly Zeppelins' night bombing of London. Wow! What a different era that was. This movie teaches about the Great War.

The story appears paper-thin (much of its WW 2 period dialogue races to correctly condemn Adolph Hitler without saying his name) until the surprise ending- a mark of all well-done spy shows. Karloff, as usual, is brilliant playing the mysterious leading spy. The black and white photography only helps to add to the flick's atmosphere of espionage and mayhem.

Check this classic out, it runs a little over a hour.

The main enjoyment this little film offers can be found in setting it in its 1940 context. Lots of messages went out to the British at this time about Keeping Mum, and Careless Talk Costs Lives. This film is designed for the same purpose, as well as to re-assure the nation that the Intelligence Service was really intelligent. Several points are worth comment. Female spies of the time were intensely beautiful, and spent nearly all of their time shimmering around in white silks and satins. This one is a real peach, and far too delicious to be a baddie. Similarly, Boris Karloff is just not the heroic British type. So this means that the mystery of the double-bluffs is doomed from the start. Never mind, it's quite fun seeing how it pans out. There are a number of interesting touches. Warner Brothers, being great supporters of FDR, make it plain that the Yanks will be Coming, even at this early date; although it took Pearl Harbour to bring about the final decision. There is a quick shot of a Zeppelin bomb being dropped on a shop called Patrick J.Ryan. Strange name. The fact that the cabinet minister's home and office both appear to be totally riddled with German spies does not inspire a lot of confidence. Still, the public knew it was hokum. It is a little disturbing, however, to learn that friendly factories and munitions dumps have to be blown up in order to fool the enemy into thinking the bloodhounds are not on to them.

British Intelligence, 1940 film

The film begins in 1917 France (a bad year for the Allies). The British surprise attack was foiled, the Germans knew of their plans. Who is the spy? They will recall Williams, their cleverest agent. Who is listening outside their window? A message sent by air warns the Germans. The rescue flight is shot down in flames, but the pilot survives. In Berlin a German spy receives her reward, she will be sent to London to work for a high British government official. The Baron talks about the future! [Note his acting.] Miss Frances Audrey arrives at the Bennett mansion. Their servant Valdar greets them. Miss Audrey has a cute cover story for her stay in Germany. American troops have arrived! Thompson will leave to America. "A fine man." Valdar advises Audrey on proper etiquette. [No background checks?]

Valdar explains Audrey's duties. Milk is delivered in an open can, Valdar works late at night. A primitive spark gap transmitter is used to send messages. Can the Germans destroy the ammunition depot? [No defense by AA guns or fighters?] Can a typewriter send a German code? [Not likely.] Is Miss Frisdon a German agent? The police explain how Thompson's actions led to suspicion about his activities. There is another surprise! Colonel Yates has set a trap, but Audrey doesn't fall into it. How many millions have died for their country when it was only for an unworthy leader? Thompson leaves on a long trip. "What are you doing here?" The ministers arrive for the meeting. There is a new surprise! Zeppelins fly at night to bomb London. Can they catch Strindler? "It worked out OK at the end." There is a final speech about political aims and the war.

Anyone may recognize the nonsense in the final speech of Colonel Yates about "helping humanity", or the truth in ending a larger evil. The plot still makes a good story after seventy years, it is still worth watching. The film includes now archaic details like a coal chute, horse drawn milk wagons, candles not electric torches, etc.