Decision Before Dawn Review
Decision Before Dawn focuses on the world of double agents towards the tail end of World War II. As the Allied forces use former German soldiers to infiltrate their old units behind enemy lines to finally end the war. The action follows two Germans who have conflicting reasons why they take on the work. Tiger is an opportunist who would work with anyone as long as they are on the winning side. In contrast Happy has come to the realization that the Nazi cause is to be questioned, after a friend of his was killed by German soldiers who didn’t appreciate his questioning of the regime.
Both men are sent into active territory with separate missions. As Happy moves through the crumbling Nazi occupied landscape he meets a variety of Germans with different views as regards the war. Happy comes to represent the reality later explored in Sam Fuller’s Verboten, in that not all Germans are Nazis. Finally both are back together at the conclusion of the film as they have to decide between themselves or the greater good. Happy naturally follows his beliefs creating a hero out what the audience would see as a Nazi soldier.
Decision Before Dawn is a fascinating document as regards films about World War II. The film takes a far more interesting view of counter intelligence demonstrating that the Allies were more than happy to sacrifice German lives for the cause. The aspect of Germans as commodities to be used as required is a less than flattering view of Allied activity.
Directed with gusto by the ever reliable Anatole Litvak, Decision Before Dawn makes for an excellent entry into the World War II film cannon. For fans of war films in general this release should be picked up without doubt given its depiction of a fascinating moment in Allied activity.
Aled Jones