The spy ring is rounded up, but Robinson realizes that this is only the beginning. Schneider is not very bright and is easily swayed by the oratory of Dr. Karl Kassel, a prominent physician who is eventually made the head of the Nazi spy ring. Among those whose passions are roused is Kurt Schneider who was court-martialed and dishonorably discharged from the US Army. Confessions of a Nazi Spy is a 1939 American spy thriller film and the first blatantly anti-Nazi film produced by a major Hollywood studio. According to the article "Hollywood Goes to War" by Colin Shindler in the film history tome "The Movie", "Warner Brothers, who had made the one explicitly anti-Nazi film of the [US] pre-war period (1939, "Confessions of a Nazi Spy") were unofficially told by the [US] government not to make any more such pictures. Confessions of a Nazi Spy The story itself is told for maximum mass comprehension. The film stars Edward G. Robinson, Francis Lederer, George Sanders, Paul Lukas, and a large cast of German actors, including some who had emigrated from their country after the rise of Adolf Hitler. I realize that in 1939 the threat of Nazi's was a serious and imminent one, but this film does go a bit too much to the extreme. Production personnel received threats and violence erupted at some screenings. Confessions of a Nazi Spy may seem dated today, but in 1939 it packed a real wallop, especially since most filmmakers of that era chose to ignore the Nazis lest they lose the valuable European market.~Hal Erickson Whether you like this film depends a lot on how much you like espionage flicks dealing with World War II. Directed with hard-hitting verve by Anatole Litvak, Confessions of a Nazi Spy struck a nerve in its era. Confessions of a Nazi Spy is a 1939 American spy thriller film and the first blatantly anti-Nazi film produced by a major Hollywood studio. Dedicated National Socialist Paul Lukas arrives in America to conduct Bund rallies and enlist German-Americans in the service of Hitler. Confessions of a Nazi Spy may seem dated today, but in 1939 it packed a real wallop, especially since most filmmakers of that era chose to ignore the Nazis lest they lose the valuable European market. Edward G. Robinson is an asset and does a fine job. Released 1939, 'Confessions of a Nazi Spy' stars Edward G. Robinson, Francis Lederer, George Sanders, Paul Lukas The movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 42 min, and received a … Confessions of a Nazi Spy is a brisk connect-the-dots tale that ties German-American Bund operatives to Berlin. As a spy movie from 1939, "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" holds up well. It remains a milestone of filmmaking commitment today. And to deliver this headline ridden docu-drama they have Edward G. Robinson hunt down the bad men played by Francis Lederer, George Sanders & Paul Lukas . Confessions of a Nazi Spy 1939 | 104 min. FBI agent (Edward G. Robinson) nabs Nazi spy (Francis Lederer), weak link in U.S. chain. It is more of interest for it's historical significance than it is as a film, but the story isn't a bad one and it's quite fascinating. Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939) is very much rooted in American side of the propaganda machine, ripping the Nazis apart, leaving not a thread of dignity left to Nazi sympathizers. FBI agent Ed Renard (Edward G. Robinson) goes on the hunt for a Nazi spy ring bent on subverting the citizenry of America. Viewed today, Confessions of a Nazi Spy might appear to be merely an isolated curiosity from a more impassioned period in American history. Chief among those connecting the dots: FBI Agent Edward Renard (Robinson). Harry Warner testified that the picture was "factual," and that Senator Nye had personally endorsed the film after attending a … The film stars Edward G. Robinson, Francis Lederer, George Sanders, Paul Lukas, and a large cast of German actors, including some who had emigrated from their c. It comes across not as a relic from a bygone era but as an exciting movie thriller based on historical events. Confessions of a Nazi Spy struck a nerve in its era. Confessions of a Nazi Spy Synopsis. Chief among those connecting the dots: FBI Agent Edward Renard (Edward G. Robinson).