The Informer
Victor McLaglen stars as the benighted Gypo Nolan in John Ford's classic version of Liam Flaherty's novel. In 1922 Dublin, Nolan, who's been exiled by his IRA cell for refusing an assignment to kill a man, is ridiculed for his perennial poverty by his prostitute girlfriend, Katie Madden (Margot Grahame), who wants badly for them to immigrate to the United States. Smarting from her insults and knowing that the British have posted a reward for the whereabouts of his best friend, IRA soldier Frankie McPhillip (Wallace Ford), Gypo goes to the headquarters of the hated Black and Tans and reveals his friend's location. After Frankie is shot down by the British, Gypo collects his 20 pounds and goes out to impress Kate and get drunk. To avoid suspicion, he moves on to Frankie's funeral, where guilt gnaws at his entrails as he witnesses the misery he's created.
Member Reviews
Award Winning John Ford Film - bwod
John Ford, who was most famous for directing his westerns (Stagecoach,1939), turned his eye towards Ireland of the 1920's in this classic film, "The Informer". Based on a novel, and a film originally made in England in 1929, this 1935 version stars a former soldier and boxer, Victor McLaglen, who's movie career as a character actor spanned 30 years. He won the Oscar for this role as a dim-witted ex-member of the IRA, who gives up his best friend to the British soldiers for L20.00.
The story is compelling, but the style of the film is best remembered as the first "art-house" film made by an American studio. It has been referred to as the first film noir, even though that moniker didn't become known until the 1940's. This is an important film for all serious film buffs. Highly recommended, I give it two thumbs up. A beautiflly crafted film.Dated but still Effective - Gregg
Set in Dublin during 1922 this is the story of Gypo Nolan (Victor McLaglen) a down on his luck Irishman of limited means and formidable stature. Gypo informs on the Irish rebels (the IRA though they are not named) with whom he was previously involved to the British authorities, in order to obtain the reward money to send the woman he loves to America. While perhaps not that powerful by today’s standards this if fairly interesting material for a picture made over 70 years ago. Unfortunately for the simple Gypo once he has the rather meager reward his lack of self control makes the discovery of his role seem inevitable and the possibility of getting the money to his girl seem unlikely.
The picture is a well crafted but somewhat dated effort from Director John Ford; it features some great black and white photography and very good performances at least for the era in which it was made.
The Oscar winning performance by Victor McLaglen may seem a little dated but is still affective. Also won Oscars for Direction (Ford), Music and Screenplay, and was nominated as Best Picture.
Allegedly the sometimes manipulative Ford used numerous tactics to draw out McLaglen’s performance, amongst them suggesting that McLaglen go out and get drunk because he had the next day off, and then rescheduling the filming the next morning of a scene in which Gypo was supposed to be suffering a terrible hangover.
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Award Winning John Ford Film - bwod
John Ford, who was most famous for directing his westerns (Stagecoach,1939), turned his eye towards Ireland of the 1920's in this classic film, "The Informer". Based on a novel, and a film originally made in England in 1929, this 1935 version stars a former ...Dated but still Effective - Gregg
Set in Dublin during 1922 this is the story of Gypo Nolan (Victor McLaglen) a down on his luck Irishman of limited means and formidable stature. Gypo informs on the Irish rebels (the IRA though they are not named) with whom he was previously involved to the ...