Ministry of Fear

1944

Ministry of Fear

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

91%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 22

76%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 982

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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 discovers the error, he turns for help to a detective, whose investigations only make the matter more complicated. Neale soon winds up on the run from both the Nazis and the police, who mistakenly believe him guilty of murder. Lang's famous expressionistic style is somewhat muted here, but Henry Sharp's crisp black-and-white cinematography sets a suitably unsettling mood, and the twists and double-crosses of Greene's story unfold at an appropriately quick pace. While it does not reach the same level of timeless classic as Carol Reed's adaptation of Greene's The Third Man four years later, Ministry of Fear stands as a well-made, thoroughly gripping and intelligent example of film noir.

Cast

Ray Milland
as Stephen Neale
Marjorie Reynolds
as Carla Hilfe
Carl Esmond
as Willi Hilfe
Dan Duryea
as Cost/Travers
Hillary Brooke
as Mrs. Bellane
Percy Waram
as Insp. Prentice
Alan Napier
as Dr. Forrester
Erskine Sanford
as Mr. Rennit
Thomas Louden
as Mr. Newland
Aminta Dyne
as 1st Mrs. Bellaire
Rita Johnson
as 2nd Mrs. Bellaire
Eustace Wyatt
as Blind Man
Mary Field
as Miss Penteel
Byron Foulger
as Mr. Newby
Lester Matthews
as Dr. Morton
Helena Grant
as Mrs. Merrick
Connie Leon
as Lady Purchaser of Cake
Evelyn Beresford
as Fat Lady
Frank Dawson
as Vicar
Eric Wilton
as Scotland Yard Man
Boyd Irwin
as Scotland Yard Man
Frank Baker
as Scotland Yard Man
Colin Kenny
as Scotland Yard Man
Wilson Benge
as Air Raid Warden
Leonard Carey
as Porter
Olaf Hytten
as Clerk in Tailor Shop
Cyril Delavanti
as Railway Ticket Agent
Matthew Boulton
as Government Official
David Clyde
as English Bobby
Bruce Carruthers
as Police Clerk
Clive Morgan
as Man in Tailor's Shop
George Broughton
as Man in Tailor's Shop
Grayce Hampton
as Lady with Floppy Hat
Ottola Nesmith
as Woman at Admission Gate
Jessica Newcombe
as Cake Booth Lady
Anne Curson
as Lady with Children
Hilda Plowright
as Maid
Harry Allen
as Delivery Man
Frank Leigh
as Man
Francis Sayles
as Man
Edmond Russell
as Man
Arthur Blake
as Officer
Edward Fielding
as Executive
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Critic Reviews for Ministry of Fear

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (4)

  • Lang at his finest and purest.

    Oct 15, 2014 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Fritz Lang, a master at getting the most out of mystery, intrigue and melodrama, in his direction apparently didn't have his way from beginning to end on Ministry of Fear.

    Jul 22, 2008 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • This is a wonderfully atmospheric, almost expressionistic thriller, packed with memorable moments.

    Jun 24, 2006

    Tom Milne

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Plant yourself well in a firm seat and keep your over-coat on when you go to see this thriller, for it dumps you and douses you fast.

    Mar 25, 2006 | Full Review…

    Bosley Crowther

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • Fritz Lang turns this into a creepily effective work, full of bravura set pieces and subtle suggestions.

    Oct 15, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Adrian Turner

    Radio Times

  • Uncertainty and fear of the unknown are the hallmarks of this classic film noir by master director Lang, which, until the last revelation, is guaranteed to puzzle and chill the viewer.

    Oct 15, 2014 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
    TV Guide
View All Critic Reviews (22)

Audience Reviews for Ministry of Fear

  • Jul 23, 2013
    I don't really care that the story is ridiculous, Lang directed the film beautifully (Is there any other director who used contrasting shadow and light so well?) and I like that its a WWII propaganda film, that doesn't really feel like a propaganda film . . . probably because the "heroes" and "villains" are less clearly defined than most stuff from that era.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • May 25, 2007
    Perhaps it was the mix of the femme-fatale, the American atmosphere Lang adopted mainly in Fury (1936) and the Hitchcock style the one that prevents me from giving this a higher rating, but -generally speaking- it is a rather solid and enjoyable dark thriller. 76/100
    Edgar C Super Reviewer
  • Apr 12, 2007
    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.
    Michael G Super Reviewer
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