So Ends Our Night

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So Ends Our Night

Released Feb 27, 1941

1h 57m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

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6 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In Austria, German Ludwig Kern (Glenn Ford) is stripped of his passport and jailed for 40 days when he admits he is a Jew. Befriended by German political dissident Josef Steiner (Fredric March), the men travel to Czechoslovakia together upon their release. As the German army closes in on first Czechoslovakia, then Austria and ultimately France as war begins, Ludwig, Josef and fellow refugee Ruth Holland (Margaret Sullavan), without passports, desperately try to keep one step ahead of them.

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

It would indeed be gratifying to be able to say that it is told with great dramatic effectiveness, too. But it isn't.

Oct 2, 2023

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Pare Lorentz

McCall's

There are many repetitious and pedestrian sequences, but the picture is so well-played, and produced in such sobriety and good taste, it is on the whole a noteworthy production.

Dec 27, 2023

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George Orwell

Time and Tide

Not that So Ends Our Night is especially “advanced", either politically or technically. But it does deal with the Europe of the past seven years in a more or less realistic manner, and its “happy ending” is only halfway happy.

Oct 2, 2023

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Alfredo Córdoba

Cine-Mundial

This is a movie that attempts, with nobility and honesty, to portray onscreen the agonizing problem of European refugees. [Full Review in Spanish]

Sep 17, 2019

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Though containing a number of lighter scenes and blessed with a strong sense of humanity (a Cromwell trademark), the film pulls no punches and is all the stronger for it.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 13, 2009

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Phil Hall

Film Threat

A mess of melodramatic puffery that ultimately trivializes the tragedy it wants to spotlight.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 19, 2006

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T W

I suspect some of those who rated this poorly don't understand its historical context. It is a bit one-sided, but having known Jewish and Slavic survivors from the the concentration camps with numbers tattooed on their arms, and listened to their personal accounts, I don't trust Marxist elitists, whether communist or fascist. Both are the same. Stalin murdered most of his soldiers who survived WWII, because they had witnessed human liberty and might be a threat to him. We should ALL be a threat to those who oppose human liberty. Just my opinion based upon my life experiences. Anyone with a sugar-coated view of totalitarianism might view this as a primmer. But who cares what an old geezer thinks.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

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Toni A

The 1941 cinematic piece, ‘So Ends Our Night’, possesses the timeless quality of a contemporary drama. Its most commendable aspect lies in its storytelling approach, which eschews gratuitous violence in favor of engaging the audience’s imagination. This narrative technique not only respects the viewer’s sensibilities but also enhances the emotional resonance of the tale. The film’s portrayal of the refugee experience is poignant and may evoke a profound sense of empathy in those who have endured similar life circumstances. It weaves a narrative that is both melancholic and hopeful, making it a compelling watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/01/24

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Audience Member

good WWII pic made during WWII

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Amazing cinematography tied to an engrossing plot, stellar performances.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Mournful war drama with a strong cast, several of whom are underused. Glenn Ford is impossibly young and gives a good if callow account of himself but it is Margaret Sullavan with her beautiful bruised diginity that wins the acting honors here. March and Dee really are in support even though they are top billed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Fascinating pre World War II tale, very nicely acted, especially by Margaret Sullivan. The very young Glenn Ford oes well also. It's a bit too long, but it is very well done. Well written, good score and cinematography.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

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John Cromwell

Director

Fredric March

Josef Steiner

Margaret Sullavan

Ruth Holland

Glenn Ford

Ludwig Kern

Frances Dee

Marie Steiner

Anna Sten

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Synopsis

In Austria, German Ludwig Kern (Glenn Ford) is stripped of his passport and jailed for 40 days when he admits he is a Jew. Befriended by German political dissident Josef Steiner (Fredric March), the men travel to Czechoslovakia together upon their release. As the German army closes in on first Czechoslovakia, then Austria and ultimately France as war begins, Ludwig, Josef and fellow refugee Ruth Holland (Margaret Sullavan), without passports, desperately try to keep one step ahead of them.

Director: John Cromwell
Producer: Albert Lewin, David L. Loew
Screenwriter: Talbot Jennings
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: David L. Loew-Albert Lewin
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 27, 1941, Original
Release Date (DVD): Sep 19, 2006
Runtime: 1h 57m

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