Made during the early days of World War 2. Freedom Radio is a propaganda film directed by Anthony Asquith.
Set in Vienna before the Nazi invasion of Poland. Dr Roder (Clive Brook) is a medic who treats high ranking members of the Nazi party. His wife, Irena is an acclaimed actress who is appointed as Director of Popular Pageantry. A position offered to her by Hitler.
Dr Roder is critical of the Nazis and knows that the people are being lied to. After a priest is killed for condemning the Nazi regime. Roder sees the hatred in his brother in law's eyes who is a SS officer.
With the help of Hans Glaser, an electronic experts. They build a secret radio that broadcasts as the Freedom Station.
Glaser's world has been turned upside down when his girlfriend was assaulted by a Nazi officer. They arrested her grandmother for listening to a foreign broadcast.
Before long the Nazis suspect that it is Dr Roder's voice on the radio. He is now estranged from his wife but she is worried about him. Roder wants his listeners to know that Germany plans to invade Poland.
The film is well made by Asquith during wartime conditions. The Nazis are portrayed as both cunning and thuggish. The clipped English accents do sound weird and make them sound more urbane.
Freedom Radio does not shy away from what happens to dissidents. They are sent to a concentration camp. Hans girlfriend was sent there on the pretence it was a hospital to aid her recovery after her ordeal.
It is difficult to believe that Dr Roder was not immediately arrested. He made no effort to disguise his voice. Another Nazi helping Roder, does something silly that leaves him exposed.
As a thriller it does not work. There was little tension but it is more effective as a propaganda film.
I figured it would end unhappily for most of the participants of Freedom Radio. The voice of freedom could not however be extinguished.
Set in Vienna before the Nazi invasion of Poland. Dr Roder (Clive Brook) is a medic who treats high ranking members of the Nazi party. His wife, Irena is an acclaimed actress who is appointed as Director of Popular Pageantry. A position offered to her by Hitler.
Dr Roder is critical of the Nazis and knows that the people are being lied to. After a priest is killed for condemning the Nazi regime. Roder sees the hatred in his brother in law's eyes who is a SS officer.
With the help of Hans Glaser, an electronic experts. They build a secret radio that broadcasts as the Freedom Station.
Glaser's world has been turned upside down when his girlfriend was assaulted by a Nazi officer. They arrested her grandmother for listening to a foreign broadcast.
Before long the Nazis suspect that it is Dr Roder's voice on the radio. He is now estranged from his wife but she is worried about him. Roder wants his listeners to know that Germany plans to invade Poland.
The film is well made by Asquith during wartime conditions. The Nazis are portrayed as both cunning and thuggish. The clipped English accents do sound weird and make them sound more urbane.
Freedom Radio does not shy away from what happens to dissidents. They are sent to a concentration camp. Hans girlfriend was sent there on the pretence it was a hospital to aid her recovery after her ordeal.
It is difficult to believe that Dr Roder was not immediately arrested. He made no effort to disguise his voice. Another Nazi helping Roder, does something silly that leaves him exposed.
As a thriller it does not work. There was little tension but it is more effective as a propaganda film.
I figured it would end unhappily for most of the participants of Freedom Radio. The voice of freedom could not however be extinguished.