By today's standards the acting looks a little dated as the characters come across as somewhat dour & rather too well mannered & polite. Today, in films we are bombarded with characters who have shovelfuls of attitude, aggression and cynicism. Today's film makers make no effort to hide feelings and emotions, but in 1947, it was still customary to keep a stiff upper lip, be courteous and behave at all times with decorum, which indeed this film exemplifies. The storyline is set in a rural, middle class family home, where social graces are still rigidly observed. The film throws an interesting light, not just on the niceties of middle class family life, but also on how patriotic and war weary citizens react to a young German woman being thrust into their midst. David Farrar, as Robert, is faced with a moral dilemma when he decides to do the 'decent' thing and marry Mai Zetterling, who helped him escape from Germany. The slow pace of the film is not to everyone's liking, but nevertheless the film, 'Frieda' gives the excellent cast sufficient time and space to portray believable characters and for the director to build a solid narrative. Although dull at times, I have given it a 7 out of 10, since it gives the modern day film buff the opportunity to see no nonsense quality acting without any frills.
