"If there is anyone who still wonders why this war is being fought, let him look to Norway. If there is anyone who has any delusions that this war could have been averted, let him look to Norway; and if there is anyone who doubts the democratic will to win, again I say, let him look to Norway." - President Franklin D. Roosevelt
In 1943, Warner Bros. released "Edge if Darkness", starring Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan. Set in October 1942, the film tells the story of the town of Trollness in Nazi occupied Norway. It deals with the emotions of the different people in a small fishing village as they try to go about life under German rule, waiting for the day when they will get arms from the British so that they can revolt against the Nazis. However, many of them are active in the underground resistance, doing small acts of sabotage in the town's fish cannery. They are led by the innkeeper, Gerd (Judith Anderson); Karen Stensgard (Sheridan) who is daughter of the only doctor in town; and a fisherman named Gunnar Brogge (Flynn). I can't say anything more about the film without giving away vital parts of the story, and it is such a fascinating film that you will be on the edge of your seat from the first scene all the way through the end!Superbly filmed and acted, this underrated film is a must for any WWII or Resistance fan. Errol Flynn is surprisingly mild in this film compared to his normal onscreen personality which makes the film a joint effort between the entire cast instead of an Errol Flynn movie with supporting players. Walter Huston is great as the doctor who has to come to grips with the occupation and Judith Anderson really shines with, in my opinion, the best performance in the film.
This movie is available in the DVD set Errol Flynn Adventures. It features Edge of Darkness (1943), Uncertain Glory (1944), Desperate Journey (1942), Northern Pursuit (1943), and Objective, Burma! (1945). They are all restored and come with bonus shorts, newsreels and trailers. Can't beat the quality of the transfers. A must for any WWII film fan!
