The Seventh Cross

I saw this movie for the first time at the tender age of 10; at the time I obsessed over the concept of WW2 and the reasons behind it. Even at 10, I understood the impact that this movie must have had on so many people around the world. The movie was actually banned in Germany because of its terrifying portrayal of the Nazis and their regime. With its controversial content, one might wonder why the movie was even made to begin with. As an adult, I appreciate this movie so much more than I did when I was young, mostly for its honesty and its hopeful message. Even though the movie contains a lot of violence and graphic depictions (at least from a 1940's perspective), I think the movie is fine for children to watch. In fact, the events in the movie are quite accurate; therefore, the movie might be a nice history lesson. Watch and you'll see! The seventh cross will hold a place in your heart for years to come.

Boy, this a grim story, but it gets you involved, especially if you tend to be a bit paranoid. The story centers around Spencer Tracy's character "George Heisler" hiding from the Nazis in 1936 Germany, not knowing who to trust. Although there's not much action, this is decently-paced with an unusual (and too corny) narrative from a dead man. The last 20 minutes, which should have been the most suspenseful of the film, instead wound up boring and too melodramatic. What I did find interesting was the very young couple of Jessica Tandy and husband Hume Cronyn. I had forgotten what a beautiful woman Tandy was when she was young. She and Hume were the best part of this film. Tracy, meanwhile, doesn't have a lot of dialog. The movie paints a horrible picture of pre-World War II Germany. There are several attempts to lift the spirits of the viewer as he watches this but overall it is a grim story of survival

George Heisler(Spencer Tracy)is one of seven men that escapes from a Nazi concentration camp. The commandant has seven trees to be made into crosses to hang the captured escapees. Heisler battles hunger, thirst and fatigue and manages to be the last escapee to not be captured. He perceivers to carry out a bungled plan to reach sympathizers for temporary shelter, change of clothes and money. The one thing that keeps him going is the thought of his beloved Liesel(Jessica Tandy); but when he finds her she doesn't look the same as in his dreams...even worse she has married another man. He still needs help and a lot of luck to dodge Storm Troopers and get out of war torn Germany. Does Tracy ever turn in a bad performance? This also Ms. Tandy's screen debut. Others in the cast: Hume Cronyn, Agnes Moorehead, Ray Collins, Felix Bressart and Signe Hasso.