Journey into Fear (1943 film)

Journey into Fear is a 1943 American spy film directed by Norman Foster and starring Joseph Cotten. It is based on the 1940 novel of the same name by Eric Ambler. The film is set in Turkey during World War II and follows an American engineer, Howard Graham (Cotten), who unwittingly becomes entangled in a Nazi plot and is pursued by assassins.

The screenplay was written by Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten, although Welles' contributions are debated and he is uncredited for writing. Welles also appears in the film as Colonel Haki, a Turkish intelligence officer who attempts to protect Graham.

The film is characterized by its film noir style, with low-key lighting, claustrophobic settings, and a sense of paranoia and unease. It was filmed on a low budget and features several actors from Welles' Mercury Theatre company.

While Journey into Fear was not a major critical or commercial success upon its initial release, it has gained a cult following over the years and is now considered a minor film noir classic. The film is noted for its atmosphere of suspense and its exploration of themes of fear, betrayal, and identity in a world at war. It was remade in 1975 with Sam Wanamaker directing. The 1943 version remains the more well-known and regarded adaptation.