Escape (1940 film)

Escape is a 1940 American drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy, based on the novel of the same name by Ethel Vance (a pseudonym for Grace Zaring Stone).

The film stars Norma Shearer, Robert Taylor, and Conrad Veidt. It tells the story of an American actress, Emmy Ritter (Shearer), who travels to pre-World War II Germany to try to free her mother, an Austrian aristocrat, from a Nazi concentration camp.

The plot revolves around Emmy's desperate attempts to navigate the complex and dangerous political landscape of Nazi Germany, aided by a German nobleman, Mark Preysing (Taylor), who is initially reluctant to get involved but eventually becomes deeply committed to helping her. They encounter various characters, some sympathetic and some treacherous, as they try to secure her mother's release. Their efforts are constantly monitored and thwarted by the Gestapo, particularly the chillingly effective General Kurt Von Kolb (Veidt).

The film is notable for its anti-Nazi sentiment, which was relatively bold for Hollywood at the time. While it avoids explicit depictions of violence within the concentration camp, it portrays the oppressive atmosphere and the brutality of the regime. The film explores themes of courage, sacrifice, and the moral compromises people make in the face of totalitarianism.

The supporting cast includes Alla Nazimova, Felix Bressart, and Philip Dorn. The film's score was composed by Herbert Stothart. Escape received generally positive reviews upon its release, with praise directed towards the performances, particularly Veidt's portrayal of the cold and calculating Nazi officer. It is considered a significant anti-Nazi film produced before the United States entered World War II.