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Desperate Journey

Play trailer Poster for Desperate Journey 2025 1h 48m Drama Mystery & Thriller Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
An incredible true story set in the glamorous but dangerous world of 1940s Paris.

Critics Reviews

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John Nugent Empire Magazine Dec 2
3/5
A lavish if not especially profound World War II drama, Desperate Journey gets by thanks to its earnest belief in its remarkable protagonist, and the need for his tale to be shared. Go to Full Review
Linda Marric HeyUGuys Nov 28
3/5
Jankel’s direction is assured, the period detail immersive, and the performances committed, but where Desperate Journey falters is in its reliance on well-worn wartime tropes. Go to Full Review
Tom Dawson Radio Times 5d
3/5
Directed by Annabel Jankel and scripted by Michael Radford (Il Postino), it moves crisply between its various timeframes, yet its visual re-creation of Occupation-era Parisian nightlife feels overly polished. Go to Full Review
Philip Bagnall Loud and Clear Reviews Nov 25
2.5/5
Though handsome and not without compelling moments, Annabel Jankel’s Desperate Journey tries to do too much within its modest means. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Rina D @Rinso Dec 10 An outstanding film of a true story about young man's survival during World War II. Lucas Lynggaard Tonnesen portrayed Freddy with sensitivity and panache. True stories are often cheesy but this was gripping and relevant. See more P W @award Dec 8 A beautifully crafted, intensely moving film. Freddie Knoller's story of a decent young man's survival in face of all the odds is at times incredibly shocking, and honestly demonstrates how he achieved that. A film that deserves to be as widely seen as possible, especially now. See more Susannah W @SusannahW Dec 4 An unusual holocaust movie, the knowledge of the camps is a backdrop but a lot of the story follows Freddy’s time in ‘freedom’ - hidden in plain sight, mixing with the Gestapo. It makes for a fascinating story, beautifully told. See more Janine S @JanineS Dec 4 A deeply powerful and captivating portrayal of Austrian born Freddie Knoller and his fight for survival. It was perfectly pitched and paced and Freddie was brilliantly acted by Danish actor Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen. It gave us a visceral insight into the courage and resilience of all those who fought the Nazis and endured the concentration camps. The icing on the cake, and mostly deeply emotional moment, for me was to see the photo of the real Freddie Knoller at the end of the film. See more Michael O @Mike-comer Dec 3 Really refreshing movie, great storyline and flows wonderfully throughout. Only wish it was longer, it felt there was more to explore. See more Brian F Dec 2 A gripping and well paced film made all the more remarkable by being based on a true life story . Well worth a watch and I hope it gets the broad audience it so rightly deserves . Thoroughly engrossing and dare I say it enjoyable - although that’s probably not the right phrase for such a terrible time in world history See more Read all reviews
Desperate Journey

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis An incredible true story set in the glamorous but dangerous world of 1940s Paris.
Director
Annabel Jankel
Producer
Zsófia Kende, Warren Derosa
Screenwriter
Michael Radford, Alfred Christian
Production Co
Emblem Pictures
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Romance
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 48m