IMDb RATING
6.9/10
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Early in World War II, Danish sea captain Andersen, delayed in a British port, tangles with German spies.Early in World War II, Danish sea captain Andersen, delayed in a British port, tangles with German spies.Early in World War II, Danish sea captain Andersen, delayed in a British port, tangles with German spies.
Sidney Monckton
- Third Danish Waiter
- (as Sydney Moncton)
Hamilton Keene
- Fourth Danish Waiter
- (as Hamilton Keen)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Michael Powell and the crew went on location to Ramsgate (Eastgate in the film), they sent all their luggage and equipment in cases boldly marked "Contraband". Luckily the local wartime Contraband Controllers saw the funny side and when they arrived at the hotel they found their cases had stamps and stencils all over them saying things like "Explosives", "Examined", "Condemned".
- Quotes
Miss Lang: If you're not Mr Pidgeon, then who are you ?
Captain Anderson: My name is Anderson, Hans Anderson.
First Brother Grimm: And we Sir are the Brothers Grimm.
- Crazy credits"White Negro Cabaret" Designed & executed by Hedley Briggs
- Alternate versionsEight minutes were cut from Contraband for its U.S. release; some just snips here and there, others more major. The most regrettable loss is the opening minutes of Veidt's and Hobson's table scene at the Three Vikings Restaurant, which in the U.S. version begins at the point when Veidt and Hobson begin drinking together and look at Veidt's watch. Another cut sequence shows black male dancers and white female dancers in a nightclub production number [The "White Negro" cabaret designed & executed by Hedley Briggs], a racial combination that would have outraged much of white America at the time, especially in the Southern states.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The South Bank Show: Michael Powell (1986)
Featured review
... from British National Films and director Michael Powell. Danish merchant ship's Captain Andersen (Conrad Veidt) is irritated enough when his ship is ordered into dock for inspection for contraband by British authorities. It only gets worse when two passengers, Mrs. Sorensen (Valeriea Hobson) and Mr. Pidgeon (Esmond Knight), sneak off the ship. Captain Andersen tracks them down through the darkness of London in an enforced blackout, only to end up targeted by a Nazi spy ring.
There's a light-heartedness that runs through this entertaining thriller. Veidt, cast against type, is good as the put-upon ship's captain that just wants to get back home. Hobson is excellent as the mysterious Mrs. Sorensen. Some of the comic relief bits with Hay Petrie in a dual role can get a bit long, but it's not too awful. Contraband was the original British release title, which was changed to Blackout for the US market, as well as having 12 minutes shaved off the running time.
There's a light-heartedness that runs through this entertaining thriller. Veidt, cast against type, is good as the put-upon ship's captain that just wants to get back home. Hobson is excellent as the mysterious Mrs. Sorensen. Some of the comic relief bits with Hay Petrie in a dual role can get a bit long, but it's not too awful. Contraband was the original British release title, which was changed to Blackout for the US market, as well as having 12 minutes shaved off the running time.
- How long is Blackout?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Ratni krijumcari
- Filming locations
- Chester Square, Belgravia, London, England, UK(Mrs. Sorenson's Aunt's House)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £47,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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