Hangmen Also Die

Hangmen Also Die is a 1943 film noir, directed by Austrian filmmaker Fritz Lang. The movie stars Brian Donlevy, Walter Brennan, and Anna Lee. It is rooted on historical events during World War II specifically the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, known as “The Hangman” and one of the main architects of the Holocaust. However, the film presents a fictional account of the aftermath of Heydrich's assassination and distances itself from the real historical facts.

Hangmen Also Die is a gripping war-set drama, skillfully infused with suspense, melodrama, and noir elements. Known for his exploration of the moral and ethical implications of individual actions and societal norms, director Fritz Lang brings to this film a high level of dramatic complexity, showing the cascading effects of the scrupulous decisions made by its protagonist.

Brian Donlevy played the character, Dr. Franticek Svoboda, a surgeon and a Czech Resistance fighter who finds himself in the middle of an assassination plot. Walter Brennan portrayed Professor Stephen Novotny, a prominent Czech political figure and a national patriot. Anna Lee, on the other hand, portrayed Mascha Novotny, the proud and determined daughter of Professor Novotny.

At the heart of Hangmen Also Die, is the portrayal of the courageous Czech resistance fighters' attempts to safeguard the assassin's identity at the height of the Nazi’s brutal and oppressive regime. Dr. Svoboda is haunted by the fear of being discovered as the assassin, amidst the ruthless manhunt undertaken by the Nazis - a situation that tests not only his personal bravery and endurance but also the loyalty and solidarity of those around him, who carry the heavy toll of his secret.

Fritz Lang, staying true to his signature style of masterfully leveraging light and shadow, creates an atmospheric backdrop to a plot brimming with patriotism and heroism, examination of guilt and fear, family ties, and self-sacrifice. His use of tension, unexpected plot twists, and multi-layered characters contribute to a palpable sense of suspense and dramatic intensity.

In a parallel narrative, the film depicts the resistance fighters' calculated acts of defiance, the Nazi's brutal measures to quell the resistance, and the silent majority — ordinary Czech citizens caught in the crossfire between duty, fear, and survival, bearing the repercussions of their compatriots' brave choices. The film is a discerning character study, not only of individuals but of a people united by common resistance and the determination to preserve their national identity in the face of severe repression.

Of note is Hangmen Also Die's climactic trial scene that stands as a testament to the human spirit's resilience against all odds and presents an intense exploration of courage, community, and the high stakes of active resistance in a setting of unfathomable cruelty.

Brian Donlevy delivers a solid performance as Svoboda, exploring the human fear, guilt, and desperation in the face of an oppressive regime. Anna Lee lends depth and nuance to her role as Mascha, exhibiting strength, principle, uncertainty, and dedication. Walter Brennan's portrayal of Professor Novotny is compelling, reflecting a balance of academic distance and passionate patriotism.

Lang's direction, combined with the striking cinematography by James Wong Howe, results in a visually striking film that matches its noir sensibility with a parallel, intricate narrative that unmasks human nature under extreme conditions. The screenplay, written by Bertolt Brecht and Lang, personally, adds to the overall image of the film as a stirring war-time drama with the bold theme of defiance against a tyrannical setting.

Hangmen Also Die is more than a historical narrative; it is a timeless testament to human courage, resilience, and patriotism. A rich amalgam of masterful direction, solid performances, and a pulsating plot make this film an essential addition to the canon of war-time dramas.