“The North Star” is a 1943 war film directed by Lewis Milestone and produced by Samuel Goldwyn. The film is set during World War II and tells the story of a small Ukrainian village called Bryansk, which is invaded by Nazi troops. The villagers, led by the doctor Yuri Pavlov (played by Walter Huston), the schoolteacher Marina Pavlova (played by Anne Baxter), and the farmer Kolya Simonov (played by Farley Granger), resist the German occupation and fight back against their oppressors.
The film follows the lives of the villagers as they struggle to survive under Nazi rule. They endure atrocities committed by the Germans, including the execution of innocent civilians and the burning of their homes. Despite the danger, the villagers organize a resistance movement and launch a series of attacks against the German troops.
As the war progresses, the Germans become increasingly brutal, and the villagers suffer more and more. But they refuse to give up, and they continue to resist the occupation. Eventually, the Red Army arrives and liberates the village from the Germans.
The film was praised for its portrayal of the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people during World War II. It was also criticized by some for its portrayal of the Soviet Union, as the film was made during a time when the US and USSR were allies but had ideological differences. Nevertheless, “The North Star” was a box office success and received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
Directors:
Lewis Milestone
Writer:
Lillian Hellman, Burt Beck
Stars:
Anne Baxter, Dana Andrews, Walter Huston
