John Garfield gives a strong performance in "The Fallen Sparrow," and is probably the film's selling point. It also looks great, with lush black and white cinematography. I had trouble following the plot, but I usually do in noirs. I still couldn't tell you what information a Nazi spy ring wanted out of Garfield's character, recently returned from fighting in the Spanish civil war. And apparently there's some flag at the center of the plot that's important for god knows why, but I never figured that out either. This is a decent but very early entry in the noir canon, and I enjoy later noirs more, when they became darker and more cynical and much more rough around the edges.
Nominated for Best Dramatic or Comedy Score in a year with sixteen(!) nominees in that category.
Grade: B.
Nominated for Best Dramatic or Comedy Score in a year with sixteen(!) nominees in that category.
Grade: B.