Overview
A gripping tale of survival and ideology amidst the chaos of war.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- urgent
- politically charged
- suspenseful
- classic cinema night
- history film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an intelligent, vivid, fair-minded, and exciting anti-Nazi war picture with strong characterizations and documentary-like realism.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The stranded German shore party encounters Canadians whose contrasting views on nationalism and the war challenge Nazi ideology, while the film advocates American entry into the Allied cause.
The six surviving German sailors move across Canada toward the neutral United States, with each stage introducing new characters and political viewpoints.
The escape crosses Hudson Bay territory, remote outposts, mountains, and other distinctive Canadian environments while the fugitives evade capture.
Lieutenant Hirth and his fellow Nazis remain central figures, allowing their fanaticism, opportunism, and competing responses to Canadian society to drive the drama.
Films like 49th Parallel, and why
Mrs. Miniver
anti-Nazi wartime propaganda, ideological debate, and suspenseful pursuit across a national landscape
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
British wartime drama combining patriotic mobilization, documentary-like realism, and ensemble storytelling
The Train
World War II escape narrative with shifting loyalties, political argument, and tense pursuit
The Enemy Below
morally charged wartime thriller using enemy perspectives and national identity as dramatic subjects
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Powell
- Release Date
- 1941-11-24
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (130)
Cast
- Leslie Howard
- Laurence Olivier
- Raymond Massey
- Anton Walbrook
- Eric Portman
- Raymond Lovell
- Richard George
- Niall MacGinnis
- Peter Moore
- John Chandos
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Philo, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is 49th Parallel about?
- Stranded after their U-boat is destroyed, six Nazi sailors cross wartime Canada in a tense, politically charged bid to reach safety.
- What is 49th Parallel like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 49th Parallel as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is 49th Parallel violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in 49th Parallel as moderate.
- What did critics think of 49th Parallel?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an intelligent, vivid, fair-minded, and exciting anti-Nazi war picture with strong characterizations and documentary-like realism.
- Which films are like 49th Parallel?
- Films with a similar feel include Mrs. Miniver, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, The Train, and The Enemy Below.
- How long is 49th Parallel?
- 49th Parallel runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch 49th Parallel?
- In United States, 49th Parallel streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Philo, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
