Journey Into Fear (1943)
This picture, with its intricate plot and star actors, unfortunately was compressed into a mere 68 minutes. Its complexity, along with several notable scenes and innovative filming would have benefited from more time for plot development, at least another 20 minutes.
It’s an interesting spy film set chiefly in Istanbul and the Black Sea, co-written by Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton, who also play the lead roles. Joining them are the highly popular Dolores Del Rio, and several actors from Welles’ Mercury Theater, including Everett Sloane, Agnes Moorehead, and Ruth Warrick.
Welles was slated to direct in 1941 following the success of
Citizen Kane. But he had followed “Kane” with work on
The Magnificent Ambersons, which he was just finishing up at the commencement of filming of “Journey”. Welles was on a limited schedule before he headed for South America to continuing work on the never completed,
It’s All True.
Consequently Welles gave up direction of the picture in favor of his colleague Norman Foster. Welles was subsequently fired by RKO during post production, so he had no input in the editing. Presumably the picture would have been more elaborate and roomy had Welles been part of the finish of the film. All the material was there. It just needed Welles' direction.
Still, it’s an enjoyable movie, and it features several memorable sequences which were widely copied by subsequent filmmakers.
Doc's rating: 6/10
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