Watch Watch on the Rhine

Watch on the Rhine is a 1943 American drama film directed by Herman Shumlin and starring Bette Davis, Paul Lukas, and Geraldine Fitzgerald. The movie is an adaptation of Lillian Hellman's play of the same name. The story takes place in 1940 and centers around the Muller family, who flee Nazi-occupied Europe to find sanctuary in America.

The movie starts with the Muller's arrival in America, where they are greeted by Fanny Farrelly (Lucile Watson), the mother of Sara Muller (Bette Davis) and Kurt Muller (Paul Lukas)'s late wife. The Mullers are warmly welcomed by Fanny and her family, but it is clear from the beginning that the Mullers' presence is not welcome by many of Fanny's guests who are anti-Nazi. Fanny's daughter, Marthe de Brancovis (Geraldine Fitzgerald), is especially suspicious of Kurt Muller and his motives.

Kurt Muller is a man with a purpose. He is an anti-fascist who has been fighting against the Nazis for years. He is also a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his family and his beliefs. One of the main conflicts of the movie is between Kurt and his son, Joshua (George Couloris), who is a pacifist and has always been against violence. Joshua is conflicted about his father's involvement in political activism and how it affects their family.

While in America, the Mullers discover that one of their former associates, Teck de Brancovis (Donald Woods), has arrived in the country with his wife, Anise (Lucile Watson), and daughter, Babette (Janis Wilson), to secretly work for the Nazis. The Mullers decide to take matters into their own hands and prevent Teck and his family from delivering important information to the enemy. The result is a tense confrontation that threatens to tear apart the Muller family.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Watch on the Rhine is the way it portrays the Mullers' anti-fascist beliefs. The movie was made during World War II, and it is clear that its creators wanted to make a statement against the Nazi regime. At the same time, the movie acknowledges that not all Germans were Nazis and that there were people who fought against Hitler's ideology. Kurt Muller is portrayed as a hero who risked his life to stand up against fascism, but he is also shown as a person who made mistakes and who was limited by his own biases.

Bette Davis gives a strong performance as Sara Muller, a woman who is fiercely protective of her family and who is torn between her love for her husband and her doubts about his actions. Paul Lukas is excellent as Kurt Muller, bringing complexity and depth to a character who could easily become a caricature. Geraldine Fitzgerald is memorable as Marthe de Brancovis, a woman who is suspicious and resentful of the Muller's presence but who also has a secret admiration for Kurt's courage.

The movie's pace is slow, but it suits the story's themes and allows the characters to develop fully. The dialogue is intelligent and thought-provoking, with several memorable lines that stick with the viewer long after the movie is over. The cinematography is also notable, particularly in its use of shadows and lighting to create a sense of tension and uncertainty.

Watch on the Rhine is a powerful movie that explores themes of fascism, anti-fascism, and family loyalty. It is a reminder of the importance of standing up against tyranny and of the human cost of political ideologies. The movie's message is as relevant today as it was in 1943, making it a timeless classic that deserves to be seen by all generations.

Watch on the Rhine is a 1943 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.