The Mortal Storm (1940)

In the quaint heart of southern Germany, January 30, 1933, marks a defining juncture. Celebrated academic, Professor Roth, is immersing himself in the joy of his 60th birthday. Unbeknownst to him, this day would also usher in the reign of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor. The professor, a beacon of respect among colleagues and students alike, is deeply cherished by his family - his doting wife, devoted stepsons Otto and Erich, and his darling daughter Freya. As the shadows of the Third Reich spread across Germany, Otto, Erich, and Freya's betrothed, Fritz Marburg, succumb to the intoxicating allure of Nazi zealotry. The esteemed Professor Roth, a "non-Aryan," is soon ensnared by the regime's oppressive grip and dispatched to a concentration camp. Shattered, Freya breaks her engagement to Fritz and finds solace in the affectionate bond she shares with her childhood friend, Martin Breitner. As the iron fist of the regime tightens, the lovers are driven apart. Martin is compelled to seek refuge in Austria. After the tragic demise of the beloved professor, Freya and her mother attempt a desperate escape, but the Nazi net closes around Freya. In an intense climax, Martin returns to rescue her, and they find themselves in a breathless race against a relentless Nazi patrol. Filmed in 1940, just a year before America's intervention in the war against Hitler, "The Mortal Storm" is a poignant exploration of the tumultuous era that saw the rise of Nazi Germany. With a distinctly anti-Nazi perspective, this evocative narrative eloquently captures the chilling atmosphere and prevalent attitudes in the epoch preceding the infamous 'Night of Broken Glass' in 1938.

The Mortal Storm is a drama movie featuring Margaret Sullavan.

The Mortal Storm is currently streaming on TCM.