Nid d'espions

The Fallen Sparrow is a wonderful thriller that leaves the viewer guessing right up to the final minutes. John Garfield returns to the US after having escaped from a Franco concentration camp where he was tortured and drugged. Despite being home, he is not free. Psychological warfare, drugs, sadistic murders and beautiful women. All the ingredients for a top film.

The very thought of Maureen O'Hara with the Nazis is most ridiculous. At least, they should have had her with a strong Irish accent, as we know that many in Ireland was sympathetic to the Germans during World War 11 because of their hatred towards England. We never fully understand why the Nazis wanted McKittrick, the James Garfield character. Therefore, it becomes puzzling that he was supposedly allowed to escape. It doesn't take much to realize who the man with the limp is. We're dealing with a Nazi spy ring in the higher classes of New York, but no, this is certainly no "House on 92nd Street." In this film, everyone is suspect. It may even take us a while to realize what the range, where the Garfield character, was sent to after his escape really is.

Thank you Turner Classic Movies and Robert Osborne for introducing us to this excellent specimen of film noir. What is obvious to John Garfield fans is his passion and energy that he pours into his characters. Along with his performance, Maureen O'Hara is in an unusual role as the mysterious girl friend. A thriller!

John Garfield plays a former POW from the Spanish Civil War who returns to New York City to investigate the murder of his friend, the same man who got him out of Spain. He soon finds himself pursued by Nazis who want a flag Garfield has in his possession. Noirish WW2 thriller offers good performances from Garfield and Walter Slezak but ultimately misses the mark at being anything memorable. It's a very talky film and the plot is hard to follow. Maureen O'Hara's lovely, as usual. Not the type of role that's up her alley but she does okay. The highlight of the movie was Martha O'Driscoll. Va-va-va-voom! Have mercy! Worth seeing for Garfield fans and, I suppose, those curious about seeing Ward Cleaver play a Nazi.

John "Kit" McKittrick (John Garfield) arrives to investigate the death of his best friend Louie Lepetino. He distrusts the police who claim the death to be a suicide. He falls for Toni Donne (Maureen O'Hara). During the Spanish Civil War, he was taken prisoner and interrogated by a shadowy Nazi with a limp. The movie has the feel of a nightmare. The expected whodunnit turns out to be more convoluted. Characters are constantly popping up. All along, there is a background of psychological torture. Garfield gives a great sense of a man under stress. It is somewhat hard to keep track of the people or the plot. I would be amendable if this becomes more Kafkaesque and more surreal. It needs to not make sense in more specific ways. This seems to be the work of a filmmaker unable to dive head first into unrealism.

I was totally surprised by the quality of this one. The pacing of the film was perfect. I can't say enough how good John Garfield was. I recently watched and reviewed "Out of the Fog" in which he was in and was really disappointed in that one. Far and away my least favorite of his but with this one, just an excellent film. They don't give anything up until the end of this one. You really have to pay attention to every cast member. Even half way through you'll be wondering what the heck is going on, but don't worry, wait til' the end. It's so worth it. I can't recommend this film any higher. This is really good stuff here.