None Shall Escape

Plot

In this drama, a crippled German veteran of WW I attempts to reconcile his recent experiences with his former ideologies in this drama. After the war he goes back to his hometown on the German-Polish border to his old teaching job. Time passes and he becomes increasingly cynical and bitter; he then finds himself increasingly drawn to dark, oppressive ideologies that cause his fiancee to abandon him. He then rapes a female student and finds himself thrown out of his village. It is not long before he joins the Nazi party where he quickly rises in the ranks. By the time he returns to his village, he has become a terrifying Nazi commandant. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Review

A solid, often gripping drama about human evil, None Shall Escape probably packs a little less punch for modern audiences than it did for those who viewed it upon its release during World War II. While certainly a propaganda film and prone to many of the failings inherent in that kind of work, None still makes some powerful statements and raises questions of morality that can lead to thought provoking discussions. It does get to be a little heavy handed in places, but this is necessary to support its mission: making people aware of the atrocities that a normal human being can commit, and how both circumstances and personal inclinations can combine to create a monster. None is also interesting in its emphasis on the culpability of the "little man," rather than on the military and political leaders that plan and orchestrate hideous outrages. A great deal of None's power comes from the commitment of Andre De Toth, whose considerable talent and skill is boosted by the personal feelings that he brings to the subject matter. None is also notable for the exceptional performance of Alexander Knox, whose work is above reproach. He shows us facets of his character that other, more "starry" actors would be afraid to, and he is at all times believable. It's a commanding, unsettling performance, and makes one wish that Knox had been given more roles that really demonstrated his abilities during his career. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast

• Marsha Hunt - Marja Pacierkowski
• Alexander Knox - Wilhelm Grimm
• Henry Travers - Father Warecki
• Erik Rolf - Karl Grimm
• Richard Crane - Willie Grimm as a Man

Dorothy Morris - Janina; Richard Hale - Rabbi Levin; Ruth Nelson - Alice Grimm; Kurt Kreuger - Lt. Gersdorf; Shirley Mills - Anna Oremska; Elvin Field - Jan Stys as a Boy; Trevor Bardette - Jan Stys as a Man; Frank Jaquet - Dr. Matek; Ray Teal - Oremski; Art Smith - Stys; George Lessey - Presiding Judge; Hank Worden - German Motorcycle Soldier

Credit

Lionel Banks - Art Director, André De Toth - Director, Charles Nelson - Editor, Ernst Toch - Composer (Music Score), Lee Garmes - Cinematographer, Sam Bischoff - Producer, Lester Cole - Screenwriter, Joseph Than - Screenwriter, Alfred Neumann - Short Story Author

Previous:	None Left Standing (2005 Film), None But the Lonely Spy (1964 Film)
Next:	None So Blind (1923 Film), None of the Above (Film)