The Red Danube (1949)

In the aftermath of World War II, we delve into the heart of Vienna, now a British Zone, where embattled souls are seeking refuge and peace. Commanding the scene is British Colonel Michael S. "Hooky" Nicobar, played by Walter Pidgeon, a man entrusted with the unenviable task of aiding Soviet authorities in repatriating their citizens, despite their reluctance to return home. Nicobar, along with his military cohorts, the spirited Major John "Twingo" McPhimister, portrayed by Peter Lawford, and the sharp-witted Audrey Quail, brought to life by Dame Angela Lansbury, find themselves stationed in a convent run by the compassionate Mother Auxilia, played by Ethel Barrymore. Their paths intertwine with the fate of the young, talented ballerina Olga Alexandrova, vividly portrayed by Janet Leigh, who is desperately evading her forced return to Moscow. A silent war unfolds within the confines of the serene convent, as Twingo and Olga's lives intertwine, sparking a forbidden romance in the backdrop of political turmoil. Nicobar, initially an instrument of the Soviet's scheme, unwittingly delivers Olga into their hands based on a fabricated story. It's only when he encounters her again, a disheartened figure on a Displaced Persons train, that he unravels the lie he's been made a part of. Torn between duty and morality, Nicobar's ironclad resolve is tested. His interactions with the Mother Superior and his witnessing of the human cost of his actions shake his lack of religious faith to its core. Now, Nicobar and Mother Auxilia must navigate the treacherous political waters to orchestrate Olga's freedom, challenging the powers that be. "The Red Danube" is a poignant tale of love, faith, and redemption set against the backdrop of post-war Vienna, where characters are as much at war with their personal demons as they are with the world around them.

The Red Danube is a drama movie featuring Walter Pidgeon and directed by George Sidney.

The Red Danube is currently streaming on DIRECTV.

It is also possible to buy The Red Danube on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV and Vudu.