"Ministry of Fear" is a greatly underrated 'film noir' mystery thriller from the 1940s. Strange and confusing, the plot is pieced together slowly and only by film's end does it make complete sense. The film's lead, Ray Milland, is as much in the dark as is the audience. His confusion throughout the film is only matched by his determination to unravel the whole mystery, a Nazi spy ring that is fronted by a charitable organization.

Stephen Neale (Milland) has spent the past two years in an English asylum after mercy killing his wife. Released during the World War II era of German bombing raids, Milland's attempts at establishing a normal life are thwarted when he is mistaken for a Nazi agent. As a good patriotic citizen, Neale wants to get to the bottom of it. It seems that the only people willing to help him are good-natured Willi Hilfe (Carl Esmond) and his sister Carla (Marjorie Reynolds). Eventually, Neale is accused of murder, and must clear his name in addition to uncovering the spy ring.

What makes "Ministry of Fear" special isn't just director Fritz Lang's ability to string along the viewer, or the screenplay adapted from the Graham Greene novel. It isn't even the 'film noir' feel of dark lighting and shady, mysterious characters. The best part is that the film is completely unpredictable: the viewer knows that something is about to happen, but has no idea what it is. In other words, the suspense. (81/100)




Recommended: Yes