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Sabotage is a 1936 British thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on Joseph Conrad's novel, "The Secret Agent". The film stars Sylvia Sidney, Oscar Homolka, and Desmond Tester. Sabotage was one of Hitchcock's early successes and is renowned for its suspenseful storyline, strong direction, and exceptional performances from its cast.

The story revolves around the character of Mr. Verloc (Oskar Homolka), a London-based cinema owner who is involved in a conspiracy to bomb the city. His wife, Mrs. Verloc (Sylvia Sidney), is unaware of his illegal activities, and instead sees him as a devoted husband and father.

Verloc's scheme involves an attempt to bomb both the subway and the cinema. However, his plan is jeopardized when his young brother-in-law, known as Stevie, becomes involved in the conspiracy. Stevie (Desmond Tester) has a fascination with fireworks and explosives and is eager to help his brother-in-law with his new "job."

As the movie progresses, the tension and suspense build, with numerous close calls, yet Verloc remains determined to carry out his plan. The film explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and conscience as each character faces challenging moral dilemmas.

The film's strengths lie in its pacing and meticulous attention to detail, as it builds to a dramatic ending. The suspense is cranked up with tense scenes of the ticking time bomb and a final climactic scene, which is both surprising and satisfying.

Hitchcock's direction is superb, with the director showing a mastery of suspenseful storytelling that he would become known for in his later and more famous films. The use of close-ups and sharp editing adds to the tense atmosphere, and the overall result is a tremendously entertaining film that keeps the audience guessing until the very end.

Sylvia Sidney gives a convincing and sympathetic portrayal of Mrs. Verloc, who is torn between her love for her husband and her newfound sense of morality. Oskar Homolka is excellent as Verloc, who is both menacing and sympathetic, making audiences both loathe and empathize with his villainous character. Desmond Tester, as Stevie, is also highly effective, bringing a sense of vulnerability and innocence to the film.

In addition to its excellent cast and direction, Sabotage also features a number of other notable strengths. The film's black and white cinematography is superb, with the careful use of shadows and light creating a moody and tense atmosphere. The movie's iconic scene involving a young boy carrying a ticking time bomb through the streets of London is especially memorable.

Overall, Sabotage is an excellent film that showcases Alfred Hitchcock's early talents as a director. The movie is a suspenseful thriller with an engrossing plot, well-drawn characters, and a strong sense of tension and drama. Its themes of loyalty and betrayal, coupled with its depiction of the moral dilemmas faced by its characters, give the movie a sense of depth and complexity that elevates it above typical crime thrillers.

Sabotage is a 1937 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 85.