49th Parallel

Play trailer

49th Parallel

1941,

1h 47m,

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Stream Now

Watchlist

88%

16 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

In the early days of World War II, a German U-boat is sunk in Canada's Hudson Bay. Hoping to evade capture, a small band of German soldiers led by commanding officer Lieutenant Hirth (Eric Portman) attempts to cross the border into the United States, which has not yet entered the war and is officially neutral. Along the way, the German soldiers encounter brave men such as French-Canadian fur trapper Johnnie (Laurence Olivier) and soldier Andy Brock (Raymond Massey).

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Stream

HBO Max

Watch 49th Parallel with a subscription on HBO Max, rent on Fandango, or buy on Fandango.

Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

Feb 18, 2007

While it might not seem so on the surface to those weaned on Why We Fight and, conversely, The Eternal Jew, 49th Parallel is wholly valid as propaganda.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 16, 2024

3/4

Complex shadings compensate for the heavy dose of expected speeches engineered to boost Allied pride.

Go to Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

May 4, 2024

... a prime example of wartime propaganda turned into rousing entertainment with (Powell and Pressburger's) smart writing, engaging characters, and creative cinema.

Go to Full Review

Dilys Powell

Sunday Times (UK)

Aug 9, 2022

Leslie Howard, Raymond Massey, Laurence Olivier and Anton Walbrook are the stars in a cast flashing with talent; and Michael Powell directs with his usual flair for the handling of action against a natural background.

Go to Full Review

Reg Whitley

Daily Mirror (UK)

Feb 17, 2022

It puts Michael Powell bang on the map as a producer, and Fred Young's photography -- is in the highest Hollywood class.

Go to Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Nov 5, 2020

4/10

It's war adventure effectively functions as a British propaganda vehicle in pointing out the emerging threat of Nazism, but I find his narrative of Nazi fugitives terribly contrived and manichean. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Poe S

Jul 10, 2018

It's Canada and the Nazi's are not only a pain to Poland, to Europe but, holy smokes, they're in Canada as well. Can 11 million red-blooded, Canadians put 6 goosestepping, Hitler-loving, nogoodniks in check, in time"? This bit of English made wartime propaganda is especially interesting as the action happens episodically and across the lower half of the country. And its message is far less over-the-top than most American productions ever were.

See more

Read all reviews

Michael Powell

Director

Eric Portman

Lt. Hirth

Laurence Olivier

Johnnie

Anton Walbrook

Peter

Leslie Howard

Philip Armstrong Scott

Raymond Massey

Andy Brock

Destination Tokyo

67%

65%

Destination Tokyo

Watchlist

Northwest Passage

78%

68%

Northwest Passage

Watchlist

It Happened Tomorrow

71%

67%

It Happened Tomorrow

Watchlist

Intruder in the Dust

93%

83%

Intruder in the Dust

Watchlist

The Desert Rats

100%

71%

The Desert Rats

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Danny Boyle’s "Sun" Begins to Shine

View more photos

Synopsis

In the early days of World War II, a German U-boat is sunk in Canada's Hudson Bay. Hoping to evade capture, a small band of German soldiers led by commanding officer Lieutenant Hirth (Eric Portman) attempts to cross the border into the United States, which has not yet entered the war and is officially neutral. Along the way, the German soldiers encounter brave men such as French-Canadian fur trapper Johnnie (Laurence Olivier) and soldier Andy Brock (Raymond Massey).

Director: Michael Powell
Producer: Michael Powell
Screenwriter: Emeric Pressburger
Production Co: Ortus Films
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 8, 1941, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2017
Runtime: 1h 47m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings