Cloak and Dagger [Blu-ray]

The parts are greater than the whole.
Fritz Lang was one of the world's directing treasures, yet too few people know his name. With credits such as M, Metropolis, The Woman in the Window and The Big Heat (as well as many brilliant lesser-known, often German-language films), he helped to *invent* many genre conventions that are now cliches. He is also one of two filmmakers who really influenced Hitchcock in concrete ways (Val Lewton being the other).

In many ways Cloak and Dagger is ahead of its time, and in others it is disappointingly dated. It offers several great scenes but loses its way several times as well. It starts out with some overly pretentious scenes as American nuclear scientist Gary Cooper is approached to help the Allies rescue a brilliant scientist held behind enemy lines. Then there are a couple of nice fights and some good direction and rising suspense as the mission gets underway. Then, it becomes a story of Gary Cooper meeting and falling in love with Lilli Palmer, a devoted but despondent member of...

why does everyone think its dated?
i loved the film and the action scenes were well made.i never got the sense it was dated and i enjoyed the film all the way through.gary cooper acted nicely as always and this film is one reason why gary cooper is my favorite actor.

Coop, As A Snoop!
Cloak And Dagger was made in '46, barely after the end of WWII. It is filled with the horrors of war and dangers of espionage, especially when attempted by scientists that have been recruited for the causes of their respective countries. The Coop-man makes a very interesting clandestine figure. The black and whites of this noir film are rich in texture, the shadowy contrasts, artistic. Robert Alda is both irritating and loveable as Pinky, and Lilly Palmer is a surprise as a possible romantic role to play off Cooper. The language of the movie contains Fascist and Nazi phrases which heighten the uneasiness of viewers as we await each new frighening development. The reason to watch any such movie is for the nail-biting suspense of seeing how the characters will get out of each new scrape and of course the main reason to watch it is Gary Cooper. He does not disappoint. His acting always appears effortless.

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