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Bette Davis, Paul Lukas, Donald Woods, Geraldine Fitzgerald, George Coulouris ... see more see more... , Lucile Watson , Beulah Bondi , Eric Roberts , Henry Daniell , Donald Buka , Mary Young , Kurt Katch , Erwin Kalser , Robert O. Davis , Clyde Fillmore , Frank Wilson , Clarence Muse , Joe Bernard , Anthony Caruso , Glen Cavender , Herma Cordova , Elvira Curci , Helmut Dantine , Jean De Briac , Gretl Dupont , Robert C. Fischer , Creighton Hale , Howard Hickman , Jack Mower , Wedgewood Nowell , Garry Owen , Frank Reicher , Walter O. Stahl , Bill Washington , Alan Hale Jr. , Leah Baird , Joseph DeVillard , Hans Tanzler , Janis Wilson , Eric Roberts (II)

An expansion of, and improvement upon, Lillian Hellman's stage play of the same name, Watch on the Rhine stars Paul Lukas, recreating his Broadway role of tireless anti-fascist crusader Kurt Muller. A... read more read more...s the clouds of war gather in Europe in the late 1930s, Muller arrives in Washington DC, accompanied by his American wife Sara (top-billed Bette Davis) and their children Joshua (Donald Buka), Bodo (Eric Roberts) and Babette (Janis Wilson). The Mullers stay at the home of Sarah's wealthy mother Fanny Fannelly (Lucille Watson), who lives in her own world of society get-togethers and can't be bothered with politics. Also staying with Fanny is Rumanian aristocrat Teck de Branovis (George Coulouris) and his American wife Marthe (Geraldine Fitzgerald). To protect his family, Muller keeps his "underground" activities a secret from Fanny and her guests, but de Branovis is suspicious of the mild-mannered visitor. It turns out that de Branovis is actually a Nazi sympathizer, willing to betray Muller for a price. Using blackmail as one of his weapons, de Branovis threatens to destroy all that Muller has been fighting for. To prevent this, Muller kills de Branovis in cold blood. Now technically a murderer, Muller bids his family a reluctant goodbye, heading back to Europe to continue his vital work. If ever there was a justifiable homicide in a motion picture, it was the killing of the odious de Branovis in Watch on the Rhine. Still, the Hollywood production code dictated that a murderer must always pay for his crimes, thus a coda is added, alluding to Muller's death-providing a golden opportunity for a nifty smiling-through-the-tears curtain speech by Bette Davis. Scripted by Lillian Hellman's lover Dashiel Hammett, Watch on the Rhine earned several Academy Award nominations, as well as a "best actor" Oscar for Paul Lukas. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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65% liked it

499 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: Herman Shumlin

Release Date: August 27, 1943

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DVD Release Date: April 1, 2008

Stats: 45 reviews

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Watch on the Rhine Bette Davis and Paul Lukas in Watch on the Rhine Paul Lukas in Watch on the Rhine Bette Davis & Paul Lukas in Watch on the Rhine Paul Lukas in Watch on the Rhine Watch on the Rhine Lucile Watson in Watch on the Rhine Watch on the Rhine Lucille Watson in Watch on the Rhine
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Flixster Reviews (45)

  • jjnxn
    June 20, 2007
    jjnxn
    a cautionary tale about the insidiousness of evil and the danger of complacency
  • inhonoredglory
    October 3, 2011
    inhonoredglory
    What a truly, truly rich, moving experience. I love those films made in the war years, as they mean so much and teach so much and have so much more depth and meaning. Watch on the Rhine is no exception. I can see why Bette Davis took the role "for its importance." It teaches so m... read moreuch to the American people of its time - and even now - how we don't really know what it means to be a European in an Old World so often used to the kinds of conflict that created World War II.
    The movie also strikingly doesn't feel like propaganda, even though the message was clearly to move its audience into action (aren't all worthwhile films aimed at personal change?). It presented a very enlightening, moving perspective on both the German menace and the Underground protagonists. Muller (Paul Lukas) explains how we will one day feel pity for those Germans who just "follow orders" and are really just fools, like De Brancovis (George Coulouris). And the perspective that Muller and the Underground may indeed be like the evil they fight - to see Muller admit he was bad. Situations like this are not black and white.
    After seeing this, my sister wanted to learn more about WWII, the Underground, and the Holocaust. Through it, she's had the experience I've had so long ago.
    In that time, I see character, selflessness, and purpose greater than self. I love it so, and I am saddened by the blatant selfishness that defines today's society. Movies like this inspire me and make me see continually that ideals and convictions can be attained and are indeed beautiful.
  • dizzynorman
    January 19, 2010
    dizzynorman
    The writing in this film (thanks to its novelist screenwriter) is surprisingly zesty and clever. The characters (save for some overacting children) seem real and it is easy to care for their plight. I wouldn't say the plot is entirely gripping and it bordered at times on pure p... read moreropaganda. Bette Davis is the big name but she doesn't play an enormous part, merely fleshes out an excellent ensemble cast. Released in the same year as Casablanca, 1943 was obviously a dark year at the movies where the good vs evil cliche actually took on some realistic and topical meaning.
  • athena6098
    October 28, 2008
    athena6098
    Bette Davis's supporting performce. I happen to catch this movie on AMC channel that is from Lillian Hellman's play. I got all caught up in it. I love Bette Davis's performces. I like the way that it show that not all germans were part of Nazi party. It is relates to us today to ... read moreshow that not all Muslims are terrorists. The movie shows to duty to do the greater good. the struggle of good and evil. Movie show also how americans here did not really know what was happening over in Europe, especailly Germany, during the late 1930's.
  • mtoothman
    August 31, 2007
    mtoothman
    Paul Lukas as an anti-Nazi resistance leader. Great movie based on the Lillian Hellman play. Bette Davis is remarkable.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

Watch on the Rhine is a distinguished picture. It is even better than its powerful original stage version. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

A fine, sincere, outspoken film. Full Review

January 31, 2012
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Yawn. Full Review

John J. Puccio
March 26, 2008
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...as important today as its was in 1943. (Bette Davis Collection, Volume 3) Full Review

Emanuel Levy
January 30, 2008
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Starring Bette Davis, Lillian Hellman's anti-Nazi play was made into simplistic film, full of contrivances and propagandistic speeches, meant to justify U.S. involvement in WWII. Full Review

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