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Ministry of Fear Play Trailer

Ministry of Fear (1944)

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Release Date: Oct 16, 1944 Wide

audience

71

liked it
Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 794

My Rating

Movie Info

An innocent man is drawn into a web of espionage when he unwittingly comes into possession of a crucial piece of microfilm in this shadowy, ominous film noir. Fritz Lang's adaptation of Graham Greene's novel is filled with unusual touches, beginning with the fact that protagonist Stephen Neale (Ray Milland) has just been released from a mental asylum. To celebrate his return to the real world, he visits a local carnival, only to accidentally receive a "prize" meant for a Nazi agent. When he

Unrated,

Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

Seton I. Miller

Apr 14, 1998

Paramount Pictures

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Ministry of Fear Trailer & Photos

Critic Reviews for Ministry of Fear

All Critics (19) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (0) | DVD (2)

Adept at using cinema for art and entertainment since his early career, Lang treats this Graham Greene "entertainment" in modest, yet effective fashion.

April 14, 2013 Full Review Source: Film International
Matthew Sorrento
Film International

This is not Lang's best film of the era, or even his most interesting portrait of paranoia and malevolent forces, but it is a lively thriller with unexpected turns.

March 23, 2013 Full Review Source: Parallax View
Sean Axmaker
Parallax View

The film as a whole doesn't really stick with you, but isolated moments and images do

March 18, 2013 Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

Criterion's Ministry of Fear Blu-ray takes the cake-then blows it up, then goes hunting for its sweetly iced fragments.

March 9, 2013 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine
Joseph Jon Lanthier
Slant Magazine

It's not top-shelf Fritz Lang, nor is it top-level Graham Greene, but as an exercise in World War II intrigue with a smidgen of film noir thrown in, Ministry of Fear gets the job done.

March 7, 2013 Full Review Source: Creative Loafing
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

It's certainly fitting that after filling his German years with ballsy, predictive masterpieces about Nazi rule-by-fear, Fritz Lang would finally make a film that directly involves Nazis.

January 31, 2011 Full Review Source: Film and Felt
Gabe Leibowitz
Film and Felt

Visually brilliant masterpiece.

July 18, 2009 Full Review Source: Classic Film and Television
Michael E. Grost
Classic Film and Television

Really good Fritz Lang noir that's never gotten its due

July 30, 2002
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Has an exciting plot and is properly atmospheric despite its cheap studio sets.

October 9, 2001 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
View all critic reviews (19)

Audience Reviews for Ministry of Fear

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Ministry of Fear is easily one of Fritz Lang's high points of the 1940s. He does a great job capturing WWII London with a dreadful mood. The chase scene in the beginning as well as the seance scene is worth it alone. The cast is good, but the set design is superb and if my senses aren't failing me I'd say that Ministry of Fear is a precursor to North By Northwest. Overall, the setup is good, the middle dwindles a bit and the last few minutes are kind of weak (with a slightly embarrassing ending) but if you can get your hands on a copy of this movie it's worth the time.
April 12, 2007
mjgildea
Michael Gildea

Super Reviewer

On the eve of World War II, Ministry of Fear appeared as a great crime picture concentrating on a very hot topic at the time, namely the devious Nazi schemes and plots build up all around Europe. Its decent and somehow dizzying storyline places this movie in the great film noir category right on spot. Its gloomy aura and very climatic atmosphere can be felt throughout the whole time. The main quality of this picture comes from the side of its fantastic cinematography. Every scene is shot perfectly, with the classic low-key white-and-black visual style. Some of the images are simply astounding: a gripping scene on the train with a seemingly blind man, explosive suitcase, bombing near the railroad tracks, etc. But the most stunning one for me was that of a group mind-reading session. Through its play on colors, light and visual sensations it brings a sort of nightmare-ish mood to the movie. Apart from being an agitating thriller Ministry of Fear is also a proper take on the situation in Europe during the War. Nazi scams were omnipresent and every person could have been involved, no matter what nationality he or she was. That's definitely the point that makes it feel more realistic and dramatic at once. Also, one of Ray Milland most believable performances.
July 27, 2012
Patryk Czekaj
Patryk Czekaj

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Foreign Titles

  • Le Ministère de la peur (FR)
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