Sabotage (1936 film)

Sabotage, also known as The Woman Alone in the United States, is a 1936 British thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It is based on the novel The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad.

The film stars Sylvia Sidney, Oskar Homolka, and John Loder. The plot revolves around Sylvia Sidney's character, Mrs. Verloc, who unknowingly married a secret agent involved in a bombing campaign in London. Her husband, Verloc (played by Oskar Homolka), owns a cinema as a cover for his activities.

Scotland Yard suspects Verloc and assigns an undercover detective, Ted Spencer (John Loder), to investigate. Spencer develops a relationship with Mrs. Verloc, further complicating the situation.

The film is notable for its suspenseful sequences and its exploration of themes such as terrorism, betrayal, and the moral ambiguities faced by ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. Hitchcock himself considered the film a mistake in some ways, particularly regarding a controversial scene involving a young boy. Despite this, Sabotage remains a significant work in Hitchcock's filmography, showcasing his mastery of suspense and visual storytelling. It is considered a classic of British cinema, though it diverts significantly from the source material in its plot and characterizations.