Sabotage

This time Charles Bennett adapted for Alfred Hitchcock Joseph Conrad's 1907 novel "The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale," set in 1886. The changes were indeed significant, and I probably won't be the first to think, during the thrilling finale, that this was just a new (but excellent) variation on Blackmail (the first meeting between Bennett and Hitchcock, 1929). In later adaptations, the filmmakers revisit the 19th century with the plot, and it's simply a question of concept. I don't particularly regret that Donat couldn't make it this time and the lead role was created by another favorite, Loder (later Hedy Lamarr's husband). The film features great performances by the Austrian Homolka and the American Sidney. The little boy Desmond Tester is also, of course, very authentic. However, I won't hide the fact that I by far felt the best in that pass-through intimate movie theater on the corner. It was very cleverly incorporated into the plot and atmosphere. In conclusion, I can only marvel at the fluctuations in quality that followed all those serialized spy films. Well, it was a trend and as such, it had to be satiated. At one time the result was very good like it is here, and at other times shoddy. In many cases, it was often the same people behind and in front of the camera. (10/01/2019)