Director William Wellman did many fine films, but not many very memorable ones. THE IRON CURTAIN is one of his better ones, thanks to a large extent to the re-teaming of Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney (previously together in the masterpiece, LAURA, 1944) surely one of the most handsome couples ever to grace the screen.
Igor (Andrews) is a cypher specialist with the Russian Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, and the film shows how his wife and then he become aware of the better life in Canada. The concept of nuclear deterrence is cleverly examined, too.
Andrews dominates the film with his square jaw honesty, photography is exquisite - Ottawa looked truly beautiful in the 1940s, and still does today - and the script keeps you riveted.
Of course, the Canadian justice ministry comes in for some stick for not immediately attending to Igor's defection, but in the end all pans out quite well, and you are left wondering what happened to Igor's family back in the USSR...
Igor (Andrews) is a cypher specialist with the Russian Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, and the film shows how his wife and then he become aware of the better life in Canada. The concept of nuclear deterrence is cleverly examined, too.
Andrews dominates the film with his square jaw honesty, photography is exquisite - Ottawa looked truly beautiful in the 1940s, and still does today - and the script keeps you riveted.
Of course, the Canadian justice ministry comes in for some stick for not immediately attending to Igor's defection, but in the end all pans out quite well, and you are left wondering what happened to Igor's family back in the USSR...