Other than loving these kind of stories and this type of film/ambience, my main reason for watching 'Ministry of Fear' was for Fritz Lang. A great and very influential director, with a fascinating style that stands apart from the styles of most directors. 'Metropolis' and 'M' especially are masterpieces, not all of his films are great but even Lang's lesser work is better than the lesser work of most (sorry for the cliche) and when he was at the top of his game he was brilliant.
'Ministry of Fear' doesn't see him at the top of his game and is a little bit of a disappointment, being somebody who was really intrigued by the plotline. The talented cast, with the likes of Ray Milland, Marjorie Renolds and Dan Duryea, have also done better in terms of films and performances. It is though an example of lesser Lang being better than most directors in the same position. While not considering 'Ministry of Fear' a must see, it is worth a one-time watch.
There are a lot of good things. Although the production values are not what one calls lavish, the film is still beautifully filmed and eerily noir-ish in its best points in some almost expressionist visuals and the lighting. The sets, again not high-budget-like but never really cheap, are quite striking to look at and evocative. The music is haunting without being too over the top and Lang's distinctive directing style is very much recognisable still. Enough of the script is taut enough, it may have tried to do too much, but it is still intriguing and doesn't make the viewer feel dumb.
Although the story is problematic, it does compel for enough of the time with a nice suspenseful atmosphere throughout and some bravura moments. Such as the search for the cake, the seance (some classy filming here) and the unmasking. Most of the performances are fine, with Milland a strong presence complete with good intensity and enough to him to root for him. Perry Waram, amusing Erskine Sanford and especially sinister Duryea stand out in the most interesting roles.
However, there is more to the problem than being a poor adaptation of Graham Greene's riveting source material. The story generally is somewhat unimaginative and does suffer from too many characters and too much going on, making 'Ministry of Fear' feel over-complicated towards the final act and like it needed a longer length.
Reynolds to me came over as bland and didn't seem to fit with everything else somehow. Furthermore, the ending is too much of an over-convenient anti-climactic cop-out.
In conclusion, worth a look but all involved have done better. 6/10
'Ministry of Fear' doesn't see him at the top of his game and is a little bit of a disappointment, being somebody who was really intrigued by the plotline. The talented cast, with the likes of Ray Milland, Marjorie Renolds and Dan Duryea, have also done better in terms of films and performances. It is though an example of lesser Lang being better than most directors in the same position. While not considering 'Ministry of Fear' a must see, it is worth a one-time watch.
There are a lot of good things. Although the production values are not what one calls lavish, the film is still beautifully filmed and eerily noir-ish in its best points in some almost expressionist visuals and the lighting. The sets, again not high-budget-like but never really cheap, are quite striking to look at and evocative. The music is haunting without being too over the top and Lang's distinctive directing style is very much recognisable still. Enough of the script is taut enough, it may have tried to do too much, but it is still intriguing and doesn't make the viewer feel dumb.
Although the story is problematic, it does compel for enough of the time with a nice suspenseful atmosphere throughout and some bravura moments. Such as the search for the cake, the seance (some classy filming here) and the unmasking. Most of the performances are fine, with Milland a strong presence complete with good intensity and enough to him to root for him. Perry Waram, amusing Erskine Sanford and especially sinister Duryea stand out in the most interesting roles.
However, there is more to the problem than being a poor adaptation of Graham Greene's riveting source material. The story generally is somewhat unimaginative and does suffer from too many characters and too much going on, making 'Ministry of Fear' feel over-complicated towards the final act and like it needed a longer length.
Reynolds to me came over as bland and didn't seem to fit with everything else somehow. Furthermore, the ending is too much of an over-convenient anti-climactic cop-out.
In conclusion, worth a look but all involved have done better. 6/10