Edge of Darkness

Edge of Darkness (a.k.a. Norway in Revolt) is a 1943 World War II film directed by Lewis Milestone that features Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan, and Walter Huston. The feature is based on a script written by Robert Rossen which was adapted from the 1942 novel The Edge of Darkness by William Woods. Plot Norway, 1942. In the Nazi-occupied fishing village of Trollness, Dr. Martin Stensgard (Walter Huston) and his wife (Ruth Gordon) hold on to the pretense of gracious living and ignore the occupiers. The doctor would also prefer to stay neutral, but is torn. Kaspar Torgersen (Charles Dingle), his brother-in-law, the wealthy owner of the local fish cannery, collaborates with the Nazis. However, the doctor's daughter, Karen (Ann Sheridan), is a resistance member, romantically involved with its leader, Gunnar Brogge (Errol Flynn). Complicating matters further, the doctor's son, Johann (John Beal), has just returned from school in Oslo. Unfortunately, he comes under the influence of his Nazi-sympathizer uncle. Though she loves her brother, Karen makes it known to the townsfolk that Johann is a Quisling. A key group of resistance members, headed by Gunnar and Karen, anxiously await a secret arrival of arms from a British submarine. They hide the weapons in a cellar and call upon the townsfolk to delay violence until the opportune moment. One evening, Karen, on her way to a meeting, is grabbed by a German soldier and disappears, while Gunnar frantically searches the town for her. She eventually appears at the meeting, clothes torn and face bruised, indicative that she has been raped. Gunnar loses his perspective after seeing what the Germans have done and prepares to attack without delay. But Karen and the others convince him that it is still not yet the time. After the meeting, Karen's father, in anger, murders a German soldier. The Nazi commandant (Helmut Dantine) orders all suspected resistance leaders held for public execution. The next morning, they dig their own graves in the town square. Then, they hear singing and discover the townsfolk have armed themselves with the smuggled arsenal. The local pastor fires a machine gun from the church tower, and the townsfolk follow suit. They re-capture their village and load the women and children onto fishing boats bound for England. At the local hotel, which serves as German headquarters, and where Karen's brother has moved, preparations are made for defense.