Watch The Informer

The Informer is a gripping drama set in Dublin during the revolutionary years of the 1920s. Directed by John Ford, the film stars Victor McLaglen as Gypo Nolan, a former member of the Irish Republican Army who has fallen on hard times and is desperate for money. To make some quick cash, Gypo betrays his best friend, Frankie McPhillip (played by Wallace Ford), to the British police, who are offering a reward for information leading to his capture. Despite his initial elation at receiving the money, Gypo soon finds himself plagued by guilt and torment as he tries to come to terms with what he has done.

As the police close in on McPhillip, Gypo finds himself targeted by the IRA, who suspect that he may have betrayed Frankie. With both the British and the IRA closing in on him, Gypo is forced to go on the run, haunted by his own conscience and the ghosts of his past.

Alongside McLaglen, the film features standout performances from Heather Angel as Gypo's long-suffering girlfriend Katie, and Preston Foster as the stern but sympathetic police officer who is tasked with tracking down McPhillip.

The Informer was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 1935, winning four Academy Awards, including Best Actor for McLaglen and Best Director for Ford. It remains a powerful and evocative portrait of a turbulent period in Irish history, exploring themes of betrayal, guilt, and redemption with a rawness and intensity that still resonates today.

With its moody cinematography, haunting score, and powerhouse performances, The Informer is a true classic of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and a must-see for fans of classic cinema and riveting drama.

The Informer is a 1935 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 65.