The Mortal Storm
As Nazism takes hold in 1933 Germany, a professor's family is forced to choose between conformity, loyalty, and courageous resistance.
Overview
A poignant exploration of love and loyalty amidst the rise of tyranny.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- grave
- passionate
- foreboding
- classic film evening
- historical film study
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a powerfully directed and acted, restrained yet forceful anti-Nazi drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Professor Victor Roth's family and relationships fracture as Nazism reshapes German social life.
Freya Roth and Martin Breitner confront pressure to accommodate the Nazi regime while preserving their principles.
Critics specifically praised Borzage's restraint and the film's decision to suggest rather than highlight the worst violence.
The plot explicitly depicts Germany in 1933 as National Socialism takes power.
Films like The Mortal Storm, and why
To Be or Not to Be
anti-Nazi historical drama centered on the moral collapse of a society under totalitarianism
Casablanca
serious wartime political drama confronting fascism, persecution, and individual resistance
The Shop Around the Corner
emotionally direct European-set drama about ordinary people enduring Nazi oppression
Confessions of a Nazi Spy
classic Hollywood anti-fascist drama combining intimate family conflict with political persecution
Movie Details
- Director
- Frank Borzage
- Release Date
- 1940-06-20
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (102)
Cast
- Margaret Sullavan
- James Stewart
- Robert Young
- Frank Morgan
- Robert Stack
- Bonita Granville
- Irene Rich
- William T. Orr
- Maria Ouspenskaya
- Gene Reynolds
Common questions
- What is The Mortal Storm about?
- As Nazism takes hold in 1933 Germany, a professor's family is forced to choose between conformity, loyalty, and courageous resistance.
- What is The Mortal Storm like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Mortal Storm as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Mortal Storm violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Mortal Storm as mild.
- What did critics think of The Mortal Storm?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a powerfully directed and acted, restrained yet forceful anti-Nazi drama.
- Which films are like The Mortal Storm?
- Films with a similar feel include To Be or Not to Be, Casablanca, The Shop Around the Corner, and Confessions of a Nazi Spy.
- How long is The Mortal Storm?
- The Mortal Storm runs 100 minutes.
