‘THE MORTAL STORM’

Evening Star, Issue 23845, 27 March 1941, Page 6

‘THE MORTAL STORM ’

PHYLLIS BOTTOME’S SENSATIONAL HOVEL A stirring dramatic document comes to the screen in Mctro-Goldwyn-Maycr’s ‘The Mortal Storm,’ and will be presented at the Regent commencing to-morrow. Adapted from the, sensational novel by Phyllis Bottoms, the film is a vivid exposition of the brutality of the Nazi regime. It depicts how all that is precious in home life can be undermined by bate, prejudice, and intolerant emotional reactions, based on political antagonisms created by one Adolf Hitler, whose baleful mania has destroyed ajl home life in Germany and is trying to do it universally.

The story is focussed upon the family of a world-famous non-Aryan German professor, and pictures the broken romances and shattered friendships that Hitlerism inevitably brings in its wake. Again Margaret Snllavan and James Stewart provide the romantic interest naturally and sympathetically albeit in tragic vein. Prank Morgan makes a complete aboutface from his'familiar comedy parts to por. tray the kindly, tolerant professor who has spent a lifetime in idealistic teaching, only to reap a harvest of hate from the students who formerly loved and respected him. His is a splendid performance. Robert Young, whose sterling work in ‘ Florian ’ is still a fresh memory, appears in a new type of role, that of a fanatical young patriot willing to sacrifice all he holds dear for his political beliefs. In this villain part Young surpasses himself, even succeeding in the almost impossible task of making the personality he enacts appear to be a lad misguided rather than a dyed-in-the-wool menace. Contrasting tranquillity with disruptive political influences, the timely and heartstirring narrative concerns a family somewhere in Europe, happy, contented, tolerant, then suddenly awakening to find itself in the throes of a new order of things resulting from dictatorship oppression. Skilfully the beauty and richness of family life, ,of high ideals, and youthful friendships are interwoven to contrast with the sinister effects of unreasoning force. Thrilling incidents, festive scenes, humour, romance, and the gaiety of youth offset the poignant passages wherein are described the methods of Hitler’s brutal system. The whole action is superbly moulded into an heroic drama of romance and adventure. While the major part of the action takes place in a small University town, there arc brief excursions into picturesque mountain regions, whore the students enjoy skiing parties. Another picturesque setting is that of a hillside farm, injecting a quiet rural atmosphere in the midst of intrigue and stark tragedy. • The Mortal Storm ’ was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor only after the most careful research, and is authentic in all its details. It is a frank, truthful presentation, completely free from exaggeration or any attempt at. sensationalism.