SABOTAGE (1936)

Film of the Day #267

SABOTAGE
1936 • Alfred Hitchcock

Cast: Sylvia Sidney, Oskar Homolka, John Loder, Desmond Tester, Joyce Barbour
Screenplay: Charles Bennett; Story by Joseph Conrad
Cinematography: Bernard Knowles
Music: Jack Beaver

General Film Distributors

sa-botage sà-bo-tarj. Wilfull destruction of buildings or machinery with the object of alarming a group of persons or inspiring public uneasiness.

Sabotage is one of Hitchcock’s lesser-known films, at least to American audiences. The film was released during his British period, a few years before he moved to Hollywood and became HITCHCOCK. Based on Joseph Conrad's novel The Secret Agent, Karl Verloc, a London cinema owner, is secretly a foreign agent. He is ordered to carry out acts of sabotage in the city while his wife (Sylvia Sydney), is unaware of his sinister activities. Scotland Yard, suspecting Verloc's complicity, assigns Detective Ted Spencer (John Loder) to infiltrate the scene. Disguised as a greengrocer working next door to the cinema, Spencer strategically befriends Mrs. Verloc, aiming to uncover the truth lurking beneath the surface.

When we view Sabotage today, it's impossible not to view it through the lens of modern terrorism. But even back in '36, Hitchcock was tapping into some pretty intense themes: the idea of unseen threats lurking in the shadows, striking at the heart of society. Through Verloc's covert activities and their tragic consequences, Hitchcock underscores the vulnerability of society to terrorism. With this film Hitchcock gives us a not-so-subtle nod to the rising tensions in Europe at the time. Hitchcock doesn't hold back when it comes to portraying the villains as the embodiment of all things sinister and oppressive. Verloc, the antagonist of the piece, is unmistakably coded as German, tapping into Hitchcock's fervent anti-Nazi sentiments.

Sabotage may move slower than some viewers expect, however, the film runs 75 minutes, so it balances out. There are tense moments and heart-pounding scenes, but Hitchcock isn't afraid to slow things down and make you really pay attention. It may not be as flashy as some of his other works, but it's got heart, it's got intrigue, and most importantly, it's got that signature Hitchcockian touch.

Sabotage is in the public domain and freely available.

- What goes on after hours in that cinema of yours?
- Deeds of darkness.

Streaming: HBO Max, Roku, Criterion, Tubi, Kanopy, Classix, Plex, FreeVee
Digital Rental/Purchase: Amazon, Apple
Physical Media: Available on Blu-Ray and DVD