Counterblast | Classic Crime Movie
Counterblast - An escaped World War 2 Nazi doctor impersonates a murdered English doctor so he can work on a vaccination to protect Germans in their planned germ warfare.
Counterblast (1948)
Director: Paul L. Stein
Writers: Guy Morgan, Jack Whittingham
Stars: Robert Beatty, Mervyn Johns, Nova Pilbeam
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Also Known As: Devil's Plot
Release Date: May 18, 1948 (United Kingdom)
Filming Location: National Studios, Elstree, Hertfordshire, England, UK(Studio)
Synopsis:
This film was not known as "Devil's Plot" until 1953, when distributor Herbert Bregstein acquired the USA theatre rights and changed the title from "Counterblast" to "Devil's Plot." The reason for the title change was to disguise the fact that this was the same movie that had already been sold to television and was currently playing on British and American television as "Counterblast." A more apt changed title would have been "Cheater's Plot," since the title change was an obvious ploy to keep the theatre exhibitors and public from knowing this film could be seen for free at home. The story has Mervyn Johns as a Nazi doctor and escaped prisoner-of-war who goes to London. There, via the Nazi underground, he poses as an Australian bacteriologist, whom he has killed and taken his place, assigned to do some medical research. His plot is using British labs and knowledge, to find a method of immunizing the German people against a plague the Nazis are going to use in their next war. Complications arise after his British assistant, Robert Beatty, becomes suspicious of his actions, and an Australian girl who knew the real doctor shows up.
Reviews:
I have to admit that one of my greatest cinematic guilty pleasures is the horror of the Na*i film (unfortunately, certain political trends recently in my neighbour to the south, the United States, make me unfortunately feel that similar ways of thinking have yet to be eradicated). Thankfully, being born as I was in the late 60's, I didn't have to experience such terror firsthand, but it's fascinating to see, through the wonders of cinema, examples of that fascist type of thinking, carried out to its fruition (some of my favourites in this area are quite controversial films, like 'Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom', 'The Night Porter' and 'Dr. Strangelove'). At least in my estimation, I have no idea how I would have acted in either polarity of the situation: either being a German and told to act accordingly, or being a concentration camp inmate. I am simply thankful I didn't have to experience either horrific scenario.
This film was an unexpected pleasure. Though no star power is behind it, or budget to speak of, and though there is suspense and a good script, it could have been a lot better handled, both in terms of direction and cinematography (it has 'British 40's B-picture' written all over it, while it's crying out for a capable helmer such as Sir Carol Reed, Sir Alfred Hitchcock, or The Archers, each of which would have made a minor masterpiece out of it). I am very thankful that it was included in my Mill Creek 'Nightmare Worlds' 50-film pack, or honestly I would have never heard of it. Now my main ambition is to get all of their sets, and see what other cinematic hidden treasures I can discover!
- written by "talisencrw (William Wood)" on letterboxd.com
Also Known As (AKA):
(original title) Counterblast
Brazil O Terror do Amanhã
Sweden Osynlig fiende
United Kingdom Counterblast
United States Devil's Plot(Alternative Title)
····················································································
✘ Website: https://www.HDTimeless.info
FOLLOW US!
✘ Twitter - https://twitter.com/HDTimeless
SUPPORT US!
✘ Membership: https://bit.ly/33nGlVm
► Film Noir: https://bit.ly/3yP7UR2
► Classic Movies: https://bit.ly/2VhJRN2
#classicmovies #filmnoir #colorizedmovies
····················································································
COPYRIGHT: All of the films published by us are legally licensed. We have acquired the rights (at least for specific territories) from the rightholders by contract. If you have questions please send an email to: info[at]amogo.de, Amogo Networx - The AVOD Channel Network, www.amogo-networx.com.