Film Review: Mission to Moscow (1943)

The first casualty of war is truth. In practical terms that means that during wartime honest chroniclers become less valuable to the Powers That Be than authors of fiction. During Second World War nobody could have produce fiction in such quantity and quality as Hollywood, which resulted in large number of propaganda films of varying quality, many of which would become source of embarrassment in post-war years. One such example can be found in Mission to Moscow, 1943 biopic directed by Michael Curtiz.

The film is based on the eponymous 1941 best-selling book by Joseph E. Davies, lawyer and diplomat who served as US ambassador to Soviet Union from 1936 to 1938. Following the prologue in which Davies addresses the audience and explains purpose of his book and film, the plot begins in 1936 shortly after Italian invasion and conquest of Ethiopia. Davies (played by Walter Huston) is summoned by his old friend, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (played by Jack King) and given not only ambassadorship, but also very delicate task – he is to assess possibility of new war in Europe and how would Soviet Union react to it. Davies and his family on their way make a stopover in Germany, where he is worried about increased militarisation of country under Nazi regime. When he arrives in Moscow, Davies is greeted cordially by Soviet (formal) head of state Mikhail Kalinin (played by Vladimir Sokoloff) and foreign minister Maxim Litvinov (played by Oskar Homolka), the latter who would become good personal friend. Davies goes on fact-finding mission and travels around Soviet Union to assess its industrial and military capabilities. He is impressed by rapid industrialisation, but also worried about factories being militarised and news about sabotages. When the leading Soviet generals and politicians are arrested and brought to public trial during Great Purge, Davies is in the audience and witnesses how they confess that they tried to betray country to Germany and Japan. Davies is convinced that both countries will attempt to expand at the expense of other countries and that this could be prevented if Western countries make common cause with Soviets. His attempt to talk isolationist American politicians and other governments into such course of action fail, and before his departure from Moscow he meets with Soviet leader Stalin (played by Manart Kippert) who tells him that Soviets, if they can’t get get alliance with West, would take extreme measures in their self-interest. Davies interprets this as possibility of Soviet non-aggression pact with Germany and soon after this becomes reality, war starts in Europe. When Soviet Union is invaded by Germans in June 1941, Davies, despite USA still being neutral, advocates military aid to Soviets. Following Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Soviets and Americans become allies and Davies reunites with his friend Litvinov, who was appointed as Soviet ambassador to USA.

During McCarthy era Mission to Moscow was considered not only blatant pro-Soviet propaganda but one of the films to prove insidious influence of Communists in Hollywood and justification for brutal persecution and blacklisting of left-wing actors, screenwriters and directors. Howard Koch, this film’s screenwriter, was actually one of the victims of the purge. In reality, the film, just like the original book, was brainchild of President Roosevelt who wanted his isolationist and anti-Communist countrymen to adopt his policy of giving financial and material support to Soviets whose struggle against Nazi Germany he saw as crucial in securing victory for Allied cause. This pragmatic aim, however, was not achieved, because attempt to portray Soviets in best possible light went a little too far even for standards for WW2 America. Mission to Moscow was attacked by right-wing sections of the public and when the film was shown in Soviet Union, the idyllic depiction of life in country, so far from reality, made many in the audience laugh, believing the film was comedy. To those more familiar with history problematic parts of the film include Davies’ attempts to justify some of the most questionable aspects of Soviet late 1930s foreign policies, like the pact with Hitler (described as an attempt to buy time) and invasion of Finland. But even more problematic is film’s justification of Great Purge, with confessions given at infamous Moscow Trials being interpreted as genuine, Stalin’s victims being portrayed as treacherous fifth columnists and infamous prosecutor Andrey Vishinski (played by Belgian actor Victor Francen) shown as heroic figure.

While all but worthless as historical document, Mission to Moscow is, to a degree, effective as piece of fiction. This is hardly surprising, because large budgets and impressive collection of talents was gathered in front and and behind camera. Michael Curtiz, one of the most versatile and prolific directors of Classic Hollywood, handles plot quickly and, following prologue, next two hours pass very quickly. Curtiz uses combination of studio sets and stock footage to create effective illusion of plot taking place in Moscow and other European cities. Walter Huston, great character actor who had played presidents and great statesmen in the past, is very convincing in the role of wise and eloquent diplomat who could talk audience into accepting Soviet point of view. He is accompanied with small army of good character actors, many of whom play powerful personalities who were their contemporaries (like Dudley Field Malone, former politician who played Winston Churchill on the account of physical resemblance to British wartime leader). Max Steiner, one of the greatest composers of Classic Hollywood, has provided effective musical score, skilfully using leitmotifs based on various national anthems and patriotic songs.

Two years after the premiere, Second World War ended and with it died the Soviet-American alliance. With Soviets becoming bitter enemies in Cold War, film became embarrassment for almost anyone involved and was made obscure. Those who watch it now, however, would find it fascinating, well-made piece of propaganda that would, in light of certain current events, leave somewhat disturbing impression that some things haven’t changed in last eighty years.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
Leofinance blog https://leofinance.io/@drax.leo

Unstoppable Domains: https://unstoppabledomains.com/?ref=3fc23fc42c1b417
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax y
Bitcoin Lightning HIVE donations: https://v4v.app/v1/lnurlp/qrcode/drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e

BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7

Posted using CineTV