Scenes from this MGM picture were filmed in Germany and Austria, so naturally, the exterior shots of Bavaria are breath taking. We are told the story is a composite of case histories taken from U. S. Army files. It is set in 1947 and recounts events that happened just after the war had ended.
Gene Kelly, on sabbatical from musicals, plays an army officer who returns to Germany where he had been stationed three years before. During his time there during the war, he had been captured and sent to a prison camp. However, he had escaped and a kind German family had hid him from the Nazis until he was able to get back to his unit.
Now he'd like a chance to see this family again and to properly thank them for saving his life. However, sad news awaits him when he goes to their home. He learns they were killed in an American air raid.
After some investigating, Kelly and a pal (Richard Egan) learn that the family's daughter (Pier Angeli) is not listed among the casualties. There is a chance she survived and is still living somewhere in the area. Kelly tells Egan how important it is for him to locate the girl, who would now be around 18.
Since Egan knows a lot of the local establishments (translation: bars), he takes Kelly around to search for the girl. One evening they frequent a place called the Silhouette nightclub, and Kelly is glad to discover that Angeli works there. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a joyous reunion with her, since she no longer thinks very highly of Americans after the death of her parents.
In the scenes that follow Kelly tries to tear down her defenses. Gradually she remembers their tender friendship and renews her old feelings for him. If not, there would be no romance.
Miss Angeli projects the right sort of innocence required for the role. It is suggested that her character had to do certain things to stay alive after her folks' demise...such as smuggle stolen good and possibly prostitute herself. As for Mr. Kelly, I may be in the minority, but I always enjoy his non-musical performances. Especially in films like this one, BLACK HAND and INHERIT THE WIND.
While the two become reacquainted and realize their deep affection, there are various political intrigues taking place in the background. For instance, Kelly learns that while Hitler and his cronies are either dead or in prison, there is a revivalist movement afoot.
In this regard, the picture's story presents an early neo-Nazi tale. Obviously Kelly will have a part to play in the downfall of this new political group. He is instructed by his superiors to remain in the region and find out as much as he can.
Meanwhile there is a comic (Claus Clausen) who performs at the club where Angeli is employed. Though not revealed at first, this seemingly harmless comedian is actually the mastermind of the neo-Nazi group that Kelly seeks to expose. It all leads to a spectacular chase through the streets and down snow-covered roads.
The final sequence occurs in a house owned by Hitler that would soon be demolished by the West German government. To up the drama, the scenarists have Clausen shoot Angeli who gets caught in the crossfire. She will recover to facilitate the happy ending. The film functions as a document of Germany's then recent past, as well as a signifier that the hard-won liberation from the Nazis would not be sacrificed at any cost.
The prevailing romantic note of Kelly and Angeli's love story tells us the Americans and the Germans have united in creating a new generation that values peace above everything else.
Gene Kelly, on sabbatical from musicals, plays an army officer who returns to Germany where he had been stationed three years before. During his time there during the war, he had been captured and sent to a prison camp. However, he had escaped and a kind German family had hid him from the Nazis until he was able to get back to his unit.
Now he'd like a chance to see this family again and to properly thank them for saving his life. However, sad news awaits him when he goes to their home. He learns they were killed in an American air raid.
After some investigating, Kelly and a pal (Richard Egan) learn that the family's daughter (Pier Angeli) is not listed among the casualties. There is a chance she survived and is still living somewhere in the area. Kelly tells Egan how important it is for him to locate the girl, who would now be around 18.
Since Egan knows a lot of the local establishments (translation: bars), he takes Kelly around to search for the girl. One evening they frequent a place called the Silhouette nightclub, and Kelly is glad to discover that Angeli works there. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a joyous reunion with her, since she no longer thinks very highly of Americans after the death of her parents.
In the scenes that follow Kelly tries to tear down her defenses. Gradually she remembers their tender friendship and renews her old feelings for him. If not, there would be no romance.
Miss Angeli projects the right sort of innocence required for the role. It is suggested that her character had to do certain things to stay alive after her folks' demise...such as smuggle stolen good and possibly prostitute herself. As for Mr. Kelly, I may be in the minority, but I always enjoy his non-musical performances. Especially in films like this one, BLACK HAND and INHERIT THE WIND.
While the two become reacquainted and realize their deep affection, there are various political intrigues taking place in the background. For instance, Kelly learns that while Hitler and his cronies are either dead or in prison, there is a revivalist movement afoot.
In this regard, the picture's story presents an early neo-Nazi tale. Obviously Kelly will have a part to play in the downfall of this new political group. He is instructed by his superiors to remain in the region and find out as much as he can.
Meanwhile there is a comic (Claus Clausen) who performs at the club where Angeli is employed. Though not revealed at first, this seemingly harmless comedian is actually the mastermind of the neo-Nazi group that Kelly seeks to expose. It all leads to a spectacular chase through the streets and down snow-covered roads.
The final sequence occurs in a house owned by Hitler that would soon be demolished by the West German government. To up the drama, the scenarists have Clausen shoot Angeli who gets caught in the crossfire. She will recover to facilitate the happy ending. The film functions as a document of Germany's then recent past, as well as a signifier that the hard-won liberation from the Nazis would not be sacrificed at any cost.
The prevailing romantic note of Kelly and Angeli's love story tells us the Americans and the Germans have united in creating a new generation that values peace above everything else.