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Binding: DVD
EAN: 0883629081854
Format: Black & White, NTSC
Label: Reel Enterprises
Manufacturer: Reel Enterprises
Publisher: Reel Enterprises
Release Date: November 13, 2006
Running Time: 106 minutes
Studio: Reel Enterprises
Theatrical Release Date: January 01, 1943
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
A Ukrainian village defends itself against the Nazi onslaught. Dramatic battle scenes. Most of the men take to the hills to begin guerrilla attacks. The farmers destroy their crops to keep them from the enemy.
A Nazi doctor begins using the children for blood transfusions for their soldiers, and a group of teenagers attempt to take arms to the resistance. Good performances. Nominated for the following Academy Awards: Best Cinematography, Interior Decoration, Music Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, Sound Recording, Special Effects and Writing, and Original Screenplay by William Hellman.
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Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
This was actually a well-produced film, but it was also clearly an attempt at pro-Soviet propaganda at a time when the U.S. was allied with the U.S.S.R. against Nazi Germany.
But today, knowing what we know about Stalin and Russia, events even freely admitted by Russian authorities today, all makes this film sadly outdated and historically laughable.
The Soviet show-trials, in which high-ranking Communists were tortured into making ridiculous confessions, all come across as looking noble and honest. Even Soviet Russia's 1939-40 Winter War against Finland is defended, with Finnish General (and hero) Mannerheim labelled by the American ambassador as a "friend of Hitler."
But the ultimate insult to reality is in how mass-murderer Stalin (a genuine "friend of Hitler" in '39 & '40) is portrayed as a wise and honest leader, much to be admired and trusted.
Again, I understand why they made this film during the war, when our government was trying to make the American people feel friendly toward our then-ally Russia. But watching this one today is like watching the pro-Nazi documentary, "Triumph of the Will," only this one is much more clumsy in its propaganda-driven, pro-Stalin message. It's almost embarrassing to watch today!
Rating: -
This movie fascinates for the same reason that "Triumph of the Will" or "Alexander Nevsky" fascinates -- because it shows us what WWII-era totalitarian propaganda looked like. What distinguishes this movie from the others, however, is that this one came from Hollywood, not from Stalin or Hitler.
The historian Robert Conquest said "The North Star" whitewashes Stalin's Russia even more dishonestly than Stalin's own film industry would have been capable of doing. No Soviet audience, after Stalin's forced starvations and mass murders, would have taken this movie's idyllic portrayal of Ukrainian life seriously.
The film shows the degree to which the Communist Party really did influence the American film industry in the 1940's. The writer, Lillian Hellman, was an avowed admirer of Stalin. She did her best to mislead Americans about the Stalin purges and show-trials of the 1930's; to keep America out of the war against Hitler during the two years when Stalin and Hitler were allies; and then to encourage America to enter the war when Stalin and Hitler became enemies.
Rating:  -
I bought this DVD in a package of World War II films. When I first watched this movie, the photography and sound reminded me of "Our Town" with William Holden, et al. There were complaints about the quality of the print and sound of that movie, and I defended it as I will this one. IF YOU WANT A SHINY, SPARKLY NEW MOVIE, GO BUY A SPARKLY, SHINY NEW MOVIE! What you get with these wonderful old films from the 30's and 40's is history on film, from the photography to the actors. "The North Star" reminds us that Russia suffered mightily when Germany slaughtered helpless Russian citizens and invaded most of Europe. Pearl Harbor occurred when the isolationists were hell bent to keep America out of war, and Russian villages were being destroyed while we dealt with our own disbelief and grief. There are all kinds of films about the European invasion - but this film takes you to Russia. Idealistic as "The North Star" may be, it has a somber message and helps Americans better understand why we fought with Russia against Germany.
"The North Star" has a young Walter Brennan (who has played old men since he was a boy), Farley Granger, Anne Baxter, Walter Houston; Jane Withers, Dana Andrews, Erich von Stroheim - and the list goes on and on. It's a treat to see these actors in an ensemble setting and to know they were headed for stardom.
For me, the most delicious treat in this film is the music....by Aaron Copland and lyrics by Ira Gershwin no less! One could almost put the first part of this film in the musical genre, rather than call it a "war" film. There are legitimate folk dances and at times, you feel you are watching a stage play. I don't fault the film for this, but others may. Examining this movie from our era, I call "North Star" a gem of history and the sound and quality of the film are simply part of the story. As I said in my review of "Our Town" - it's the same appreciation one feels when they play an old, beloved record that has a "hiss". That hiss is exactly what adds to the music because it tells you there is history in that record. Young people (I would guess young males, particularly) will complain about the quality of this film and say it's an "awful print". I'm sorry to say - they just don't get it. But if you do "get it", give yourself a treat and watch "The North Star".
Rating:  -
Samuel Goldwyn's excellent but now almost forgotten wartime drama THE NORTH STAR was scripted by Lillian Hellman and directed by Lewis Milestone. William Cameron Menzies was associate producer, Aaron Copland scored some fine Ukrainian-like music with Ira Gershwin providing lyrics. Hellman and Copland were both Oscar-nominated for their contributions as was cinematographer James Wong Howe. The picture received 6 Academy nods in all.
At first blush this appears to be a jolly Goldwyn musical. Happy peasants in traditional garb sing, dance and strum 3-string balalaikas. They play harmonicas and squeezeboxes whenever the opportunity arises. It's during one of these picturesque interludes that a stark future suddenly looms in the form of the German Blitzkrieg.
Bearded Walter Brennan and a slow-moving open horsecart full of kids enjoy a sunny morning filled with smiles, affection and song until a frightening drone is heard overhead. V-formation Luftwaffe planes suddenly bomb their country road. Terrorized people flee into a ditch, but not all make it safely. One man is crushed by a fallen telephone pole and a young left-handed child loses that arm and soon after, his life.
WWII has come crashing in on their little village. A quiet place that's changed little over the centuries is suddenly and violently thrust into the jaws of a modern armored beast. No matter the outcome, these peoples' lives will never be the same. Men armed with pistols and rifles quickly form a cavarly brigade to battle pantzers, machine guns and artillery. The women, children and old folks left behind vow to fight their invaders to the death.
The enemy shows no mercy. Children are strafed in the streets. Others will have their life's blood stolen so wounded Germans might survive operations. Systematic and murderous destruction is appalling, yet these brave people DO fight back! It's a desperate, unforgettable scene in one of the finest war films ever made. Highly recommended.
"North Star" is also available as part of Mill Creek's outstanding HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS 50 MOVIE PACK.
Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 imdb viewer poll rating.
(6.1) The North Star (1943) - Anne Baxter/Dana Andrews/Walter Huston/Walter Brennan/Ann Harding/Jane Withers/Farley Granger/Erich von Stroheim/Dean Jagger
Rating:  -
After purchasing every available copy of this film on the market, please take my advise -- DO NOT BOTHER!
There is obviously no decent print of this film currently available. Being that it was originally produced by Samuel Goldwyn and released through United Artists, one might assume that MGM/UA Home Video might hold the original negatives (since they appear to have the rights to other Goldwyn films presently). The truth may be that no better version of this film exists, and that would be a damn shame given its historic significance and the place it held in Soviet/US relations at the time it was made.
But until MGM Home Video releases this title (IF they ever do), save your bucks and download it for free off of the Internet. The quality can't be any worse.
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