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Decision Before Dawn

Play trailer Poster for Decision Before Dawn 1951,  1h 59m,  Drama/ War/ Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 100% 6 Reviews Tomatometer 73% 250+ Ratings Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
During World War II, an American intelligence unit led by Col. Devlin (Gary Merrill) is recruiting German prisoners of war to infiltrate enemy lines and gather vital information. Lt. Rennick (Richard Basehart) heads a unit of Germans that includes the mistrustful "Tiger" (Hans Christian Blech) and the wide-eyed "Happy" (Oskar Werner). When word arrives that a German general is about to negotiate the surrender of his corps, Devlin sends Rennick and his volunteers on a dangerous mission.
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Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press Aug 7, 2019
Movie-making at its best. Go to Full Review
J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Jan 31, 2012
Werner, who served in the Axis forces during the war, gives a magnetic performance. Go to Full Review
TV Guide Jan 31, 2012
4/4
An outstanding production in all aspects. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Apr 14, 2008
B-
It's most noted for being more sympathetic to peace loving German soldiers than are most American war films. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jan 24, 2008
B+
Litvak's intriguing account of U.S. Intelligence operation during the last year of WWII was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, boasting a good performance from the young Oskar Werner as a sensitive and naive German soldier-traitor. Go to Full Review
Michael W. Phillips, Jr. Goatdog's Movies May 2, 2006
3.5/5
The film manages to be suitably hard on the Nazi regime while providing one of the first sympathetic treatments of the German people. Go to Full Review
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Decision Before Dawn

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Cast & Crew

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Anatole Litvak

Director

Richard Basehart

Lt. Dick Rennick

Gary Merrill

Col. Devlin

Oskar Werner

Cpl. Karl Maurer

Hildegard Knef

Hilde

Dominique Blanchar

Monique

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Decision Before Dawn

Decision Before Dawn (1951) Decision Before Dawn (1951) Decision Before Dawn (1951) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During World War II, an American intelligence unit led by Col. Devlin (Gary Merrill) is recruiting German prisoners of war to infiltrate enemy lines and gather vital information. Lt. Rennick (Richard Basehart) heads a unit of Germans that includes the mistrustful "Tiger" (Hans Christian Blech) and the wide-eyed "Happy" (Oskar Werner). When word arrives that a German general is about to negotiate the surrender of his corps, Devlin sends Rennick and his volunteers on a dangerous mission.
Director
Anatole Litvak
Producer
Anatole Litvak, Frank McCarthy
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Bavaria Film, Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
Drama, War, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 21, 1951, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 22, 2013
Runtime
1h 59m
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