The Informer Movie Review 1935

Based on Liam O'Flaherty's novel about the Irish Sinn Fein Rebellion of 1922, it tells the story of a hard-drinking Dublin man (McLaglen) who informs on a friend (a member of the Irish Republican Army) in order to collect a 20-pound reward. When his "friend" is killed during capture, he goes on a drinking spree instead of using the money, as planned, for passage to America. Director Ford allowed McLaglen to improvise his lines during the trial scene in order to enhance the realism, leading to excruciating suspense. Wonderful score.

Distribution

Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc., 1 CNN Ctr., Box 105366, Atlanta, GA 30303, Phone: (404)827-1700, Toll-free: 800-523-0823, Fax: (404)827-2000, URL: http://www.turner.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS
Running time 91 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

War, General, On the Rocks, Dublin, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Dudley Nichols

Cast

Victor McLaglen, Heather Angel, Wallace Ford, Margot Grahame, Joseph (Joe) Sawyer, Preston Foster, Una O'Connor, J.M. Kerrigan, Donald Meek

Director

John Ford

Music

Max Steiner

Producer

RKO, John Ford

Awards

Oscars 1935: Actor (McLaglen), Director (Ford), Screenplay, Score; N.Y. Film Critics 1935: Director (Ford), Film.