As a major Hitchcock fan, I was excited to get the chance to see this rarely-seen propaganda short that Hitchcock made in England in the French langauge about the French resistance. The results are far below Hitchcock's talents. The film is too dialogue heavy and convoluted. I can just barely tell you what happened in this film, and what I remember now, two minutes after finishing it, will be completely gone within a half an hour. It doesn't work as entertainment, and it certainly doesn't work as propaganda. Perhaps Hitchcock should have studied Eisenstein, who had the capability to churn out propaganda imbued with extraordinary artistry. Aventure Malgache was simply done too quickly and without enough thought. 5/10.
15 Reviews
Despite Flaws has some nuggets for Hitch fans
wall1718 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
As agitprop, as other reviews have noted, this one perhaps isn't the kind of Howard Hawks rabble-rouser one would have expected to be produced in the throes of war. It's also notably low-budget, with all the scenes being produced in cramped indoor sets that accommodate very little motion, either among the actors or with the camera.
That said, there are some classic Hitch moments within. There's the theme of the double, the double-agent and the duel (and duality) between the two antagonists, one a veteran of Verdun and a prominent defense lawyer, and the other the chief of police and security for Vichy Madagascar. There's the moment when one of the resistance fighters, about to leave for England to join the French Army, is betrayed by his fiancée who either believes this will keep him with her or is getting revenge -- we never know -- slowly, slowly moves towards the phone to drop a dime on him (and our hero), and the phone slowly comes into focus in the foreground. And there's this odd narrative device of having the story told from backstage of a French theater troupe in London -- exactly why the lawyer ended up doing a theatrical performance, after having escaped the Vichy and been a producer of his own propaganda radio broadcasts, is completely unclear, but it may be Hitch's subtle way of using the artifice of the production values to his good advantage. Even if you don't speak French, it's fun picking out the classic rhythms of dialogue and editing pace common to Hitch. Compare, for instance, to the almost contemporaneous 'Lifeboat', which was another completely talky piece of wartime agitprop shot in incredibly close confines (literally so in the latter case). If you can't use the great horizons of the outdoors, use the claustrophobic to generate that sense of dread of being caught that must've been endemic to being part of a secret resistance.
I wouldn't seek this out unless you're interested in the social history of propaganda, the French resistance, or unless you're looking for a research paper for film school on Hitch, but given its short running time it is hardly a waste of time.
That said, there are some classic Hitch moments within. There's the theme of the double, the double-agent and the duel (and duality) between the two antagonists, one a veteran of Verdun and a prominent defense lawyer, and the other the chief of police and security for Vichy Madagascar. There's the moment when one of the resistance fighters, about to leave for England to join the French Army, is betrayed by his fiancée who either believes this will keep him with her or is getting revenge -- we never know -- slowly, slowly moves towards the phone to drop a dime on him (and our hero), and the phone slowly comes into focus in the foreground. And there's this odd narrative device of having the story told from backstage of a French theater troupe in London -- exactly why the lawyer ended up doing a theatrical performance, after having escaped the Vichy and been a producer of his own propaganda radio broadcasts, is completely unclear, but it may be Hitch's subtle way of using the artifice of the production values to his good advantage. Even if you don't speak French, it's fun picking out the classic rhythms of dialogue and editing pace common to Hitch. Compare, for instance, to the almost contemporaneous 'Lifeboat', which was another completely talky piece of wartime agitprop shot in incredibly close confines (literally so in the latter case). If you can't use the great horizons of the outdoors, use the claustrophobic to generate that sense of dread of being caught that must've been endemic to being part of a secret resistance.
I wouldn't seek this out unless you're interested in the social history of propaganda, the French resistance, or unless you're looking for a research paper for film school on Hitch, but given its short running time it is hardly a waste of time.
Interesting curiosity but doesn't really rise above that
TheLittleSongbird2 November 2013
It is interesting for Hitchcock completests in particular, but this is not an example of the great director being on top form. There are some imaginative directorial touches(in the camera work, humour and the theme with the double), a nice droll denouncement, some nicely crafted production values, some decent acting especially from Paul Claras and a playful yet haunting music score. Sadly for Aventure Malgache for all the good things there are a number of things that are not done very well. It is too heavy on the dialogue, which apart from the sly humour here and there veers on stilted and crass and it bogs the pacing down. The pacing does have some quick-moving scenes but the most talky scenes drag, while the storytelling does get confused and not the easiest to follow. There is not much exciting here either, it is the case of too much dialogue not enough action and there is little suspense too. And it does get bogged down in the propaganda elements, it makes its point but it doesn't hold up well and some may find the attitudes of the French being portrayed here rather insensitive(the reason why it stayed in the vaults for such a long time). In conclusion, an interesting short film and worth the look but Aventure Malgache is really not Hitchcock at his best and it doesn't ever rise above interesting curiosity value. 5/10 Bethany Cox
Hitchcock Illuminates a Lesser-Known Aspect of WWII
Snow Leopard22 May 2001
"Aventure Malgache" is one of two short, French-language features that Alfred Hitchcock made during World War II as a tribute to the French Resistance. It is not as good as the other of these ("Bon Voyage"), but it will certainly be of interest to fans of the great director, and it is also a distinctive look at one of the more unknown aspects of World War II.
The film opens in a dressing room, as one of a group of French actors discusses how a character in their upcoming performance reminds him of his experiences on the island of Madagascar when it was taken over by the Axis. The story that he tells in flashback contains some suspense, but the main interest is psychological and historical. There were many on the island who wanted to resist Vichy rule, but they were split into various factions, and their attempts were further complicated by personal rivalries and agendas.
While there is not much action, it is interesting as a very different look at World War II than what we are used to seeing in the movies. There are some good Hitchcock touches of humor and mild suspense, and like "Bon Voyage", it is very similar in nature and length to an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".
If you are a Hitchcock fan, or if you are fascinated in everything about World War II, you should find "Aventure Malgache" of some interest.
The film opens in a dressing room, as one of a group of French actors discusses how a character in their upcoming performance reminds him of his experiences on the island of Madagascar when it was taken over by the Axis. The story that he tells in flashback contains some suspense, but the main interest is psychological and historical. There were many on the island who wanted to resist Vichy rule, but they were split into various factions, and their attempts were further complicated by personal rivalries and agendas.
While there is not much action, it is interesting as a very different look at World War II than what we are used to seeing in the movies. There are some good Hitchcock touches of humor and mild suspense, and like "Bon Voyage", it is very similar in nature and length to an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".
If you are a Hitchcock fan, or if you are fascinated in everything about World War II, you should find "Aventure Malgache" of some interest.
Proof that not everything Hitchcock is magic
planktonrules28 September 2008
The film is about the French controlled island of Madagascar. Once the French surrendered to Germany in 1940 and became their allies, their colonies around the globe were left to decide whether to go along with the Vichy government or throw in their lot with the British and continue to fight the Nazis. The film particularly follows one man on the island who is the head of the underground movement.
This is a very odd film. During WWII, Alfred Hitchcock made two short propaganda films in French! Everyone speaks French and I wonder if Hitchcock himself understood the language. Considering how weak this short film is, I assume he didn't! Unlike most propaganda films, this film is way too talky and slow. Additionally, it's not exactly inspiring. There simply is no action or suspense and the film is amazingly uninspiring. All these factors led the British government to say "thanks but no thanks" to the director when he tried to help out with the war effort.
FYI--I noticed one reviewer gave the short a 10. When I checked, I noticed that out of dozens and dozens of their reviews I perused, all had received 10s--every last one.
This is a very odd film. During WWII, Alfred Hitchcock made two short propaganda films in French! Everyone speaks French and I wonder if Hitchcock himself understood the language. Considering how weak this short film is, I assume he didn't! Unlike most propaganda films, this film is way too talky and slow. Additionally, it's not exactly inspiring. There simply is no action or suspense and the film is amazingly uninspiring. All these factors led the British government to say "thanks but no thanks" to the director when he tried to help out with the war effort.
FYI--I noticed one reviewer gave the short a 10. When I checked, I noticed that out of dozens and dozens of their reviews I perused, all had received 10s--every last one.
Propaganda, instruction and some entertainment
trimmerb12348 July 2008
In wartime with such a shortage of resources, short films made in the French language in Britain in 1944 were undoubtedly made for very distinct purposes. In this situation Hitchcock evidently put his talents entirely at the disposal of the powers that be but, in the absence of concrete information, we can only guess what those purposes were.
In common with "Bon Voyage" - the other of the two films Hitch shot in the French language during the war - the intended audience was Vichy France and the Vichy controlled French colonies (the film is set in Madagascar). Overall they were propaganda films, intended for the French resistance. Each is to some extent instructional particularly warning of pitfalls resistance members could fall into. Here the main character is imprisoned by the Vichy authorities and finds that a defence lawyer has been provided for him. The defence lawyer asks for full details of the man's resistance activities so that he can better defend him. The main character immediately realises that the lawyer is working for the authorities and there solely to extract incriminating information. Noticeable too are the many references to Britain's role in supporting the Resistance - presumably an important part of the film's message.
Overall the film quite slick, pacy and good humoured. Other propaganda elements are not so obvious although presumably the main character's bravery, spirit, wiliness along with his undoubted patriotism (like Petain, a hero of the Battle of Verdun in WW1, indeed known to Petain but having chosen resistance rather than collaboration) perhaps offered something of a role model for the audience. The key line must have been "The greatness of a country is measured by the spirit of its people". Given the reality of occupation and collaboration, "spirit" was one thing that nevertheless could remain undimmed, that national honour could still be fought for and could still be saved.
Interestingly both films were small projects and that it was other directors who handled the now iconic wartime productions.
In common with "Bon Voyage" - the other of the two films Hitch shot in the French language during the war - the intended audience was Vichy France and the Vichy controlled French colonies (the film is set in Madagascar). Overall they were propaganda films, intended for the French resistance. Each is to some extent instructional particularly warning of pitfalls resistance members could fall into. Here the main character is imprisoned by the Vichy authorities and finds that a defence lawyer has been provided for him. The defence lawyer asks for full details of the man's resistance activities so that he can better defend him. The main character immediately realises that the lawyer is working for the authorities and there solely to extract incriminating information. Noticeable too are the many references to Britain's role in supporting the Resistance - presumably an important part of the film's message.
Overall the film quite slick, pacy and good humoured. Other propaganda elements are not so obvious although presumably the main character's bravery, spirit, wiliness along with his undoubted patriotism (like Petain, a hero of the Battle of Verdun in WW1, indeed known to Petain but having chosen resistance rather than collaboration) perhaps offered something of a role model for the audience. The key line must have been "The greatness of a country is measured by the spirit of its people". Given the reality of occupation and collaboration, "spirit" was one thing that nevertheless could remain undimmed, that national honour could still be fought for and could still be saved.
Interestingly both films were small projects and that it was other directors who handled the now iconic wartime productions.
Story of French Resistance
rmax30482326 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Hitchcock was working under wartime restrictions when he shot this French-language film in Britain and the limits imposed are apparent. How the director must have ached for a chance to give the audience his usual tourist's view of an exotic location, in this case Madagascar. Instead there are sets consisting of small rooms and one more sizable courtroom. The purpose was propaganda and it probably worked, although now of course it seems crass and dated. Nothing special about it, no Hitchcock touches or anything. It's fast-paced and tightly written movie urging the French to resist the occupation and showing them how it's done, while at the same time warning of the dangers involved. It's not really worth going out of one's way for except that it's a historical curiosity.
Nothing adventurous here
Horst_In_Translation26 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"Aventure malgache" is a French documentary drama from over 70 years ago and the only reason it is somewhat known today is because of its director. Alfred Hitchcock shot this film during World War II and it's one of his very few French movies, so make sure you catch a set of subtitles when watching this. I have seen some Hitch, not even close to most of his works, but I thought there was nothing memorable about this one here. It's black-and-white and runs for slightly over half an hour. It can be a decent watch with people in a great interest in French history, resistance, etc. but I found none of the drama really that well done in here and I am actually glad to see that Hitchcock did not stretch this to a full feature drama film. Certainly one of his weakest projects, which is slightly disappointing as he made some of his classics already before this one, even if his great successes followed a bit later. With the exception of Paul Bonifas, the cast is not known at all either, many of them never appeared in film again. Not a good watch, not recommended.
With lame "Allied" theatrical "morale boosters" like this . . .
tadpole-596-91825629 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
. . . it's a wonder that the "Axis" (that is, Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy, and Tojo's Japan) managed to lose World War Two. Some over-rated English-speaking schmuck named "Hitchcock" was tapped to answer "Leni Riefenstahl's" masterwork TRIUMPH OF THE WILL with a propaganda piece of his own. The garbled result from "Hitch"--ADVENTURE MALGACHE--is so incoherent that it seems an early wasted effort on the part of those proverbial million typing monkeys alleged to have the ability to churn out a Shakespeare play IF you have the patience to change their typewriter ribbons for a million years. ADVENTURE MALGACHE makes viewers wonder whether Hitch and his crew even possessed opposable thumbs. MALGACHE's nonsensical alternating scenes (flitting between a post-war Parisian theatrical dressing room and war-time Vichy Madagascar) is a contrivance so clumsy that it would have given even the monkeys fits to dream up. Ms. Riefenstahl wouldn't have been caught dead attaching her name to something as counter-productive as MALGACHE. Perhaps Hitch was a double agent.
A Tidbit From Sir Alfred Hitchcock
Ron Oliver25 December 2001
A corrupt Vichy police official & a wily Resistance lawyer have their own intense AVENTURE MALAGACHE during the early years of the Second World War.
Although having lived in Hollywood since 1939, famed film director Alfred Hitchcock nevertheless wanted to be involved in some way with the British war effort against the Axis. So, in 1943 he returned to London & took up the assignment to direct a couple of propaganda films aimed at the French, under the auspices of the British Ministry of Information.
The two film shorts which resulted - BON VOYAGE & AVENTURE MALAGACHE (both 1944) - did not excite the Ministry and were given only very brief exhibition, after which they languished for decades in the vaults of the British Film Institute. Hitchcock, meanwhile, his war service satisfied, returned to California.
AVENTURE MALAGACHE (Adventure in Madagascar) is basically a look at the extreme antagonism between the two principal characters, cut off, as they are, from the main action of the War due to their Indian Ocean location. Extremely fast moving, it demands unblinking attention on the part of the viewer, especially if one must needs be forced to rely on the English subtitles. The acting & production values are quite good - Hitchcock was able to call upon the services of French actors, writers & technicians exiled in Britain.
Although having lived in Hollywood since 1939, famed film director Alfred Hitchcock nevertheless wanted to be involved in some way with the British war effort against the Axis. So, in 1943 he returned to London & took up the assignment to direct a couple of propaganda films aimed at the French, under the auspices of the British Ministry of Information.
The two film shorts which resulted - BON VOYAGE & AVENTURE MALAGACHE (both 1944) - did not excite the Ministry and were given only very brief exhibition, after which they languished for decades in the vaults of the British Film Institute. Hitchcock, meanwhile, his war service satisfied, returned to California.
AVENTURE MALAGACHE (Adventure in Madagascar) is basically a look at the extreme antagonism between the two principal characters, cut off, as they are, from the main action of the War due to their Indian Ocean location. Extremely fast moving, it demands unblinking attention on the part of the viewer, especially if one must needs be forced to rely on the English subtitles. The acting & production values are quite good - Hitchcock was able to call upon the services of French actors, writers & technicians exiled in Britain.
An Adventure Badly Spoiled?
JamesHitchcock17 June 2013
"Aventure Malgache" ("Madagascan Adventure") was one of two short French-language propaganda films which Alfred Hitchcock directed for the British Ministry of Information during the Second World War, the other being "Bon Voyage". "Bon Voyage" was intended to publicise the struggle of the French Resistance in mainland France itself, while "Aventure Malgache" deals with the Resistance movement in the French colonies. After the fall of France in 1940 the administration in French Madagascar (like that in some other colonies) supported the collaborationist Vichy regime until the island was liberated by British and Free French forces in 1942.
The hero of the film is Paul Clarus, a lawyer and amateur actor, who is a leading light in the Resistance on Madagascar. (He is said to be based upon a real-life figure, Jules François Clermont, who portrays him in the films). His activities include helping anti-Vichy Frenchmen escape from the island to British-controlled territory and running a clandestine pro-Resistance radio station. These activities bring him into conflict with the villainous Jean Michel, who before the war was a criminal whom Clarus prosecuted in court, but who has now become the Vichy regime's "Chef de la Sûreté" on the island. Some Vichy supporters were quite sincere in their belief that Marshal Philippe Petain's regime represented the best hope for the French nation but Michel is a cynical turncoat; when the British arrive we see him replacing a portrait of Petain in his office with one of Queen Victoria (which he has presumably been keeping in preparation for just such an eventuality).
In "Bon Voyage" Hitchcock did make some use of his normal suspense techniques, but "Aventure Malgache" is a more straightforward piece of propaganda. In the opening scene Clarus is seen discussing his adventures with some of his actor friends, so there is little suspense about the film; we know from the start that Clarus will survive. As with "Bon Voyage" the film is so different from Hitchcock's normal feature films, even explicitly propagandist ones like "Foreign Correspondence" or "Saboteur", that I will not award it a mark out of 10. It did, however, expand my French vocabulary by one word. "Malgache" is French for "Madagascan"; on the basis that "gacher" is French for "to spoil" I would otherwise have translated the title as "An Adventure Badly Spoiled".
The hero of the film is Paul Clarus, a lawyer and amateur actor, who is a leading light in the Resistance on Madagascar. (He is said to be based upon a real-life figure, Jules François Clermont, who portrays him in the films). His activities include helping anti-Vichy Frenchmen escape from the island to British-controlled territory and running a clandestine pro-Resistance radio station. These activities bring him into conflict with the villainous Jean Michel, who before the war was a criminal whom Clarus prosecuted in court, but who has now become the Vichy regime's "Chef de la Sûreté" on the island. Some Vichy supporters were quite sincere in their belief that Marshal Philippe Petain's regime represented the best hope for the French nation but Michel is a cynical turncoat; when the British arrive we see him replacing a portrait of Petain in his office with one of Queen Victoria (which he has presumably been keeping in preparation for just such an eventuality).
In "Bon Voyage" Hitchcock did make some use of his normal suspense techniques, but "Aventure Malgache" is a more straightforward piece of propaganda. In the opening scene Clarus is seen discussing his adventures with some of his actor friends, so there is little suspense about the film; we know from the start that Clarus will survive. As with "Bon Voyage" the film is so different from Hitchcock's normal feature films, even explicitly propagandist ones like "Foreign Correspondence" or "Saboteur", that I will not award it a mark out of 10. It did, however, expand my French vocabulary by one word. "Malgache" is French for "Madagascan"; on the basis that "gacher" is French for "to spoil" I would otherwise have translated the title as "An Adventure Badly Spoiled".
Hitchcock does French Propaganda
jtyroler2 January 2010
During World War II, Alfred Hitchock made a couple of relatively short propaganda movies for the people of France and their colonies, which, at the time, included a large portion of Africa. A map early in the film shows how much of Africa was under French control during the war. In 1944, much of France had been occupied by the Nazis for about 4 years and prior to D- Day, it looked to many that France could be occupied for quite some time. People needed something to keep their hopes alive and this was one of Hitchcock's attempts. However, this wasn't released during the war and no one really knows if this might have any effect on the moral of the French speaking world or not.
This and "Bon Voyage" were made using French writers, actors, technicians in wartime England. "Aventure malgache"is based on a true story that happened in Madagascar, a former French colony.
The story starts off with members of a French acting troupe performing in London with one actor (Paul Bonifas) trying to figure out how to play the role of a gangster. His resemblance to the police chief in Madagascar, a Nazi appeaser, is noted by another actor (Paul Clarus) and the bulk of the movie is the story of how the French colonists managed to survive with a corrupt police chief while still getting some people off of the island and broadcasting resistance radio services.
This isn't a typical Hitchcock movie and that could account for some of the lower reviews. In watching this, I try to imagine myself as a member of the target audience - one who is hoping to get out from under the tyranny of Nazi rule and to know that there are people in the rest of the world who haven't given up freeing my people. Members of that original target audience would have been subject to arrest (or worse) just by seeing this movie. A glimmer of hope could be worth that for many people.
This and "Bon Voyage" were made using French writers, actors, technicians in wartime England. "Aventure malgache"is based on a true story that happened in Madagascar, a former French colony.
The story starts off with members of a French acting troupe performing in London with one actor (Paul Bonifas) trying to figure out how to play the role of a gangster. His resemblance to the police chief in Madagascar, a Nazi appeaser, is noted by another actor (Paul Clarus) and the bulk of the movie is the story of how the French colonists managed to survive with a corrupt police chief while still getting some people off of the island and broadcasting resistance radio services.
This isn't a typical Hitchcock movie and that could account for some of the lower reviews. In watching this, I try to imagine myself as a member of the target audience - one who is hoping to get out from under the tyranny of Nazi rule and to know that there are people in the rest of the world who haven't given up freeing my people. Members of that original target audience would have been subject to arrest (or worse) just by seeing this movie. A glimmer of hope could be worth that for many people.
30 Minutes of Melodrama, Underplayed Dénoument
joshg129 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
May contain spoiler- I don't see one, you might.
This movie was commissioned to boost the exploits of the résistants after France was liberated- a political move on the part of DeGaulle's government in exile. It is well made, acted, and directed- the only fault on Hitchcock's part I mention below. The story moves at a steady pace and the actors and actions are entirely believable, whether or not the whole story is true.
The only problem I had was with the end. Those actions should have taken a larger part of the movie and involved more characters. This movie was not released because it shows how the French were divided on what course of action to take in the many aspects of their lives. Unity was the goal audiences were to come away with- Aventure failed in that aspect.
There is no reason to not see this movie if you have a chance- it won't come around again soon. I admit I didn't appreciate the wonderful ending until the next day.
I am biased toward this film because I am fascinated by the ambiguity of life in WW2.
This movie was commissioned to boost the exploits of the résistants after France was liberated- a political move on the part of DeGaulle's government in exile. It is well made, acted, and directed- the only fault on Hitchcock's part I mention below. The story moves at a steady pace and the actors and actions are entirely believable, whether or not the whole story is true.
The only problem I had was with the end. Those actions should have taken a larger part of the movie and involved more characters. This movie was not released because it shows how the French were divided on what course of action to take in the many aspects of their lives. Unity was the goal audiences were to come away with- Aventure failed in that aspect.
There is no reason to not see this movie if you have a chance- it won't come around again soon. I admit I didn't appreciate the wonderful ending until the next day.
I am biased toward this film because I am fascinated by the ambiguity of life in WW2.
More on this short
mattker18 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
A recent article on Australian Web Journal SENSESOFCINEMA brings a lot of new information (cast, script,etc.)on this underrated film.
For example,interesting link between the French actor who plays MICHEL, and a character in a well known Stanley Donen movie.
A connection between DZ91,code name of a British Secret Service agent during WWII and Paul CLARUS,a French lawyer from Madagascar. Another point of view regarding the MOLIERE PLAYERS and some members of the Company.
Documents from the British National Archives, and from a French private collection.
For example,interesting link between the French actor who plays MICHEL, and a character in a well known Stanley Donen movie.
A connection between DZ91,code name of a British Secret Service agent during WWII and Paul CLARUS,a French lawyer from Madagascar. Another point of view regarding the MOLIERE PLAYERS and some members of the Company.
Documents from the British National Archives, and from a French private collection.
Hitch's two Shorts
Michael_Elliott12 March 2008
Adventure Malgache (1944)
** (out of 4)
The second of two propaganda films directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Three actors are getting ready for rehearsals when one of them says he doesn't know how to play the part. Another actor then tells him a story of a man he knew who was running a radio broadcast to beat the Nazis. This was a confusing mess of a film that isn't nearly as good as the previous film Bon Voyage. There's way too much dialogue and it's never clear what the director is trying to do with the material.
Bon Voyage (1944)
*** 1/2 out of 4)
One of two Alfred Hitchcock directed shorts this one dealing with an escaped POW (John Blythe) who tells his Captain how he escaped only to have his Captain drop a bombshell on him. This was a wonderful little film that was a lot better than I expected. As usual, Hitchcock manages to build up some wonderful atmosphere and the "twist" in the story is very nicely done and works without any hitches.
** (out of 4)
The second of two propaganda films directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Three actors are getting ready for rehearsals when one of them says he doesn't know how to play the part. Another actor then tells him a story of a man he knew who was running a radio broadcast to beat the Nazis. This was a confusing mess of a film that isn't nearly as good as the previous film Bon Voyage. There's way too much dialogue and it's never clear what the director is trying to do with the material.
Bon Voyage (1944)
*** 1/2 out of 4)
One of two Alfred Hitchcock directed shorts this one dealing with an escaped POW (John Blythe) who tells his Captain how he escaped only to have his Captain drop a bombshell on him. This was a wonderful little film that was a lot better than I expected. As usual, Hitchcock manages to build up some wonderful atmosphere and the "twist" in the story is very nicely done and works without any hitches.
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