49th Parallel

Play trailer

49th Parallel

1941

1h 47m

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

In the early days of World War II, a German U-boat is sunk in Canada's Hudson Bay. Hoping to evade capture, a small band of German soldiers led by commanding officer Lieutenant Hirth (Eric Portman) attempts to cross the border into the United States, which has not yet entered the war and is officially neutral. Along the way, the German soldiers encounter brave men such as French-Canadian fur trapper Johnnie (Laurence Olivier) and soldier Andy Brock (Raymond Massey).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

02/18/2007

While it might not seem so on the surface to those weaned on Why We Fight and, conversely, The Eternal Jew, 49th Parallel is wholly valid as propaganda.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

11/16/2024

3/4

Complex shadings compensate for the heavy dose of expected speeches engineered to boost Allied pride.

Go to Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

05/04/2024

... a prime example of wartime propaganda turned into rousing entertainment with (Powell and Pressburger's) smart writing, engaging characters, and creative cinema.

Go to Full Review

Dilys Powell

Sunday Times (UK)

08/09/2022

Leslie Howard, Raymond Massey, Laurence Olivier and Anton Walbrook are the stars in a cast flashing with talent; and Michael Powell directs with his usual flair for the handling of action against a natural background.

Go to Full Review

Reg Whitley

Daily Mirror (UK)

02/17/2022

It puts Michael Powell bang on the map as a producer, and Fred Young's photography -- is in the highest Hollywood class.

Go to Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

11/05/2020

4/10

It's war adventure effectively functions as a British propaganda vehicle in pointing out the emerging threat of Nazism, but I find his narrative of Nazi fugitives terribly contrived and manichean. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Miklós G

08/27/2024

Naturally it's a bit aged movie with plenty of theatrical scenes. Nevertheless a great watch with your family with some amazing shots.

See more

Alec B

02/28/2024

Making the villains the main characters was a great idea as was the episodic narrative (which allows multiple opportunities for Fascism to be thoroughly debunked and humiliated). Many great performances but Walbrook is the real standout.

See more

09/02/2021

Its worth reading wikipedia after watching the film as it gives an insight into why this film was made and might change your perspective on the film. As it is, it certainly is watchable and the propaganda message is loud and clear. It also stands out from most other ww2 films of the era where the story is about the Nazi's rather than the Allies. Worth a watch

See more

s r

@ScottR 06/30/2021

Powell and Pressburger impress again. This time with a wholly original production of anti-nazi propaganda to incite the US to join the war. It's plot is completely unpredictable and ends with an appropriate ending. Although the anti-nazi sentiment is over the top at times, driving you to hate them, it still has an appropriate, almost poetic balance. Saw it digitally.

See more

Ed M

05/30/2021

I've seen a lot of World War II movies but this is unique. So original.

See more

bo s

@boknows40 11/05/2020

Entertaining pre-Pearl Harbor WW2 anti-Nazi film from the Canadian perspective. Some good scenery despite being in B&W.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Michael Powell

Director

Eric Portman

Lt. Hirth

Laurence Olivier

Johnnie

Anton Walbrook

Peter

Leslie Howard

Philip Armstrong Scott

Raymond Massey

Andy Brock

Man Hunt

87%

75%

Man Hunt

Watchlist

Night Train to Munich

89%

72%

Night Train to Munich

Watchlist

The Seventh Cross

100%

77%

The Seventh Cross

Watchlist

Saboteur

81%

72%

Saboteur

Watchlist

The House on 92nd Street

50%

50%

The House on 92nd Street

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Danny Boyle’s "Sun" Begins to Shine

View more photos

Synopsis

In the early days of World War II, a German U-boat is sunk in Canada's Hudson Bay. Hoping to evade capture, a small band of German soldiers led by commanding officer Lieutenant Hirth (Eric Portman) attempts to cross the border into the United States, which has not yet entered the war and is officially neutral. Along the way, the German soldiers encounter brave men such as French-Canadian fur trapper Johnnie (Laurence Olivier) and soldier Andy Brock (Raymond Massey).

Director: Michael Powell
Producer: Michael Powell
Screenwriter: Emeric Pressburger
Production Co: Ortus Films
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 8, 1941, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2017
Runtime: 1h 47m

Most Popular at Home Now