Watch on the Rhine

Film adaptation of Lillian Hellman's World War II play about a German man and his wife being pursued by Nazi agents in Washington, D.C.

Customer Review: Drama about Political Intrigue

Some ordinary men warned against the power of Nazi Germany and the threat to Europe and the whole world. A small family enters the USA as refugees. A steam locomotive takes them from the southwest to their destination in Washington DC: a large mansion owned by a rich and powerful widow. Her daughter Sarah married married a German who moved to Rumania. Son-in-law Kurt used to work for Dornier Aircraft, but is now in the business of fighting fascism. Sarah's sister is married to a Rumanian who plays cards at the German embassy and wins money. There is an event at the German Embassy in Washington. Is there conflict between the Nazis and the German aristocracy because of class differences? The charming speech and manners contrast to the intrigue that lies below the surface.



Kurt Muller works as an anti-fascist but it doesn't pay well. [What he does is unmentionable.] People suffered in Germany after the end of the Great War. Then street fighting foretold of the coming storm of Nazi rule. [An over-simplified history?] The Muller family then moved to various European countries. The conversation reveals the history of the characters. Teck snoops into Kurt's briefcase and finds a pistol, a medal, and $20,000 in currency. He calls the German Embassy to squeal about Max Freitag. Later Sarah discovers that briefcase and tells Kurt that someone opened it. The news of the capture of Max Freitag in Germany shocks Kurt and Sarah. Will Kurt return to Germany to rescue Max from prison? It will be very difficult, even if the Gestapo doesn't know that Kurt plans to return.



Teck offers to sell information to the Gestapo agent at the Embassy. The price depends on the information. Kurt worries about what Teck can find out about him. Marthe makes a final break with Teck. Teck demands $10,000 to keep his mouth shut. Can he be trusted? Will the deal be reached by a gentleman's agreement? What will be done? What has to be done? Kurt makes a speech to justify his actions and says goodbye.



The speeches show its origin as a stage play. This drama provides a snapshot of popular feeling in the early 1940s. This two-hour film drags in spots, the attitudes are dated. Were the Washington wealthy and politically connected really so naive?

Customer Review: Paul Lukas' Much Deserved Oscar

This well-written play by Lillian Hellman that was adapted for film by her partner, Dashiell Hammett, is amazing in many ways. First off, Bette Davis took a secondary role for Paul Lukas to have the lead that he developed on the stage, Lucile Watson jumps off the screen as Bette's mother, and the children's odd accents don't even matter due to the excellent dialogue and meaning of this film.
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