90 Days of Oscar Nominees #12 – The Pied Piper (1942)

In my attempt to have a more prolific repertoire of Oscar Nominated Films, I have taken it upon myself to watch 90 new Best Picture Nominees that I’ve never seen before between 5 Dec 2017 and The 90th Annual Oscars on 4 Mar 2018.

Here is my 12th review of the 90 chosen Films…

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“De Gaulle, monsieur? He is one who was neither a traitor nor a coward. He’s the true France.” – Focquet

Number of Times Seen – 1 (11 Dec 2017)

Brief Synopsis – An elderly curmudgeon must help a group of children escape from Nazi-Occupied France.

My Take on it – When I decided to watch this film, I was expecting a live action version of the story of the famed Piper from Hamlin.

I has no clue, I was about to watch a film about World War II.

The idea presented here is extremely interesting and works so well the whole way along.

Monty Woolley is superb in the title role and plays both the curmudgeon and the protective grandfather-like man all at once.

He is able to use his abilities to try and outwit all of those that are trying to stop him from saving this small group of children that he slowly collects along hos journey.

He is able to hold himself against anyone who tries to stop him and it all seems so plausible the whole time.

Loved seeing Otto Preminger in the role of the Nazi officer who tries to stop Woolley mainly because he is able to show both his ruthlessness and human compassion when needed.

What amazed me the most about this film is how informative it was about what was truly being done by the Nazi’s at a time when most people were unaware of their plans to completely eradicate their enemies one by one no matter how as long as it would get done.

This is a film that definitely will deserve a rewatch one of these days because it was that good!

Bottom Line – Totally not what I expected. Amazing idea that works so well. Woolley is superb in the title role and is able to hold him own against all of the odds thrown against him. Preminger plays his character perfectly because we see his ruthlessness and human aspects of compassion when needed.  Quite interesting how enlightening the plot is despite not many people knowing the lengths that the Nazi’s went to at the time to eradicate their enemies no matter the cost. Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Nevil Shute’s original novel was a huge bestseller at the time of its release, as the world grew to accept that it was at war again. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy

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