Fritz Lang's "Ministry of Fear" (1944) was shelved before it was previewed
on October 16, 1944, Paramount
choosing to release Billy Wilder's "Double Indemnity" (1944) first. Even after the preview, it was not officially released February 1945. Paramount immediately publicized Lang's tenth American film as "the biggest thriller since 'Double Indemnity.' From the novel by the author of "This Gun for Hire" and "Menace Behind Every Shadow
... Suspense in every Move!" (Biesen, Sheri Chinen.
Blackout: World War II and the Origins of Film Noir. 2005)
The Hollywood Reporter called Lang 'brilliant" and the spy ring with enemy agents conveying espionage suspense as "fresh and exciting as tomorrow's newspaper."
Bosley Crowther of The New York Times described it as having "a touch of sorcerer's magic with a modern, sophisticated wit. And Fritz Lang, in directing this picture, has kept a curious off-key, spectral tone insinuating through the telling of a thoroughly captivating tone. ... Mr. Lang has given the picture something of the chilling quality of some of his early German shockers--a strangely arch and maniacal surge that comes through suggestive use of camera and morbid pace in more critical spots."
Variety also praises Lang as "getting the most out of mystery, intrigue and melodrama" and that "Ministry of
Fear" "starts out to be a humdinger and continues that way for the most part, but when the roundup of the spy gang gets underway the situation becomes drawn out and elementary, marring the footage that preceded."
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| Matt Lanter as Stephen Neale |
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| Felicity Jones as Carla Hilfe |
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| Russell Tovey as Willi Hilfe |
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| Golshifteh Farahani as Mrs. Bellane #2 |
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| Alfred Molina as Inspector Prentice |
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| Toby Jones as Mr. Cost |
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