Classic film, understandably it has an honored place in film history... but... having seen it several times.... it dates very badly. Most of the criticism posted here are valid (except the one complaining it was depressing.... um... yes... it's a serious story without a 'happy' ending... that is not a reason to call a film 'bad'). McLaglen's performance is one of the most over the top, hammed up show cases ever put on film. It was all daring and new and interesting in 1935, but not anymore. It's a film I respect, but it's very hard to see through the creaky and old fashioned acting style. John Ford does well, and I reserve opinion on whether he really deserved a Best Direction Oscar for it.... (the lumbering hammy content was, after all, in his hands). Yes, the sets show the low budget, and the characters are very stereotypical.
Review of The Informer
