On T List of Movie Reviews
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
Tonight We Raid Calais (1943)
Rate:
5
Viewed:
1/25
1/25:
The war didn't stop Hollywood from making movies, and among them was Tonight We Raid Calais.
Made in 1943, it seems accurate for the time, especially when the Germans machine-gunned traitors lined up
against the wall. Unfortunately, the downfall is Annabelle. Such phony acting. I hate that stupid bitch
character of hers, wishing she was killed along with the rest. She sure moved on quickly after selling
out her parents which resulted in their quick death.
In the British mold of John Garfield, John Sutton is okay but doesn't stand out, hence the end of his
potential as a leading man. Oh, yeah...remember in the beginning his character was recruited for his
ability to speak French fluently. Well, well, well...did he ever put that to practice once he landed in
Calais? And nobody put two and two together that the new face without registration papers could be
connected to the English's landing on the beach?
At least, Lee J. Cobb gets the chance to steal some of the show, and it's apparent he's the only one
of the cast with enough serious acting ability to be a star in the long run. Oddly, he was born in 1911
while Annabelle, who played his daughter, was born in 1907.
One part I like the best is when the English soldier visited Jacques Grandet's home and they
spoke in code in front of the unsuspecting Germans. That's pretty cool. But a similar thing happened that's
so stupid and unbelievable is when Odette met her uncle at the café and they revealed the plans within earshot
of everybody.
All in all, having enough action, Tonight We Raid Calais is an okay WWII picture to pass the time.