Contraband (1940): Cast & Plot
Contraband is a 1940 war thriller directed by Michael Powell, starring Conrad Veidt as Capt. Andersen, Leo Genn and Hay Petrie. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Michael Powell
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- British National Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Contraband About?
The premise of Contraband without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A Danish merchant captain is detained by British authorities after trying to evade wartime contraband controls. He joins forces with a skilled British naval intelligence officer to expose a ring of German spies operating out of a London cinema. Their cooperation leads to perilous missions and a high stakes showdown that could shift the war’s course.
Contraband Themes & Keywords
· 24 tags- soho london
- london england
- espionage
- british noir
- male female relationship
- spy
- sea captain
- blackout
- brutality
- pursuit
- nightclub
- air raid
+12 more Show fewer
- intrigue
- manhunt
- theft
- mysterious woman
- fog
- ship captain
- steamship
- english channel
- cruiser
- semaphore
- british navy
- world war two
Contraband Cast & Characters
Conrad Veidt leads the cast as Capt. Andersen, with Leo Genn as First Brother Grimm and Hay Petrie as Axel Skold. Directed by Michael Powell; 46 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Michael Powell
- Conrad Veidt as Capt. Andersen
- Leo Genn as First Brother Grimm
- Hay Petrie as Axel Skold
- Henry Wolston as First Danish Waiter
Also Starring in Contraband
· 42 more- Desmond Jeans First Karoly
- Harold Warrender Lt. Cmdr. Ellis
- Joss Ambler Lt. Cmdr. Ashton
- Valerie Hobson Mrs. Sorensen
- Esmond Knight Mr. Pidgeon
- Esma Cannon Erik Skold's Niece
- Raymond Lovell Van Dyne
- Peter Bull Third Brother Grimm
- Bernard Miles Man Lighting Pipe
- Milo O'Shea Air Raid Warden
- Charles Victor Hendrick
- Ben Williams Man Selling Torches
- Johnnie Schofield Waiter at the Cab Drivers Shelter
- Torin Thatcher Sailor
- Patrick Barr Undetermined Role (uncredited)
- John Longden Passport officer
Show all 46 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Michael Shepley Man in Club
- Cameron Hall Naval Officer
- Erik Chitty Cloakroom Attendant (uncredited)
- Nicholas Phipps Man in Car
- Mark Daly Taxi Driver
- Manning Whiley Manager of 'Mousetrap'
- Eric Berry Mr. Abo
- Stuart Latham Second Brother Grimm
- Hamilton Keene Fourth Danish Waiter
- Eric Maturin Passport officer
- Julian Vedey Second Danish Waiter
- Molly Hamley-Clifford Baroness Hekla
- Sydney Moncton Third Danish Waiter
- Olga Edwardes Mrs. Abo
- Dennis Arundell Lieman
- Toni Gable Miss Karoly
- Frank Allenby
- Townsend Whitling
- Paddy Browne Singer in 'Regency'
- Eric Hales Second Karoly
- Albert Chevalier
- Duncan Ross
- Phoebe Kershaw Miss Lang
- J.P. Roberts Hanson
- John England
- Haddon Mason
More from Michael Powell
More films directed by Michael Powell, best-rated first: Black Narcissus, The Boy Who Turned Yellow, Age of Consent and They’re a Weird Mob.
Contraband Plot Summary
What happens in Contraband from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Danish Captain Conrad Veidt and his freighter Helvig are slowed in the English Channel for a routine cargo inspection at a British Contraband Control Port, a tense scene as World War II crawls across Europe despite Denmark’s neutral stance. The encounter sets a grim mood of vigilance and espionage that threads through what follows.
Captain Andersen is granted two shore passes for himself and his First Officer Hay Petrie to dine with Lt. Cmdrs Ashton and Ellis, portrayed by Joss Ambler and Harold Warrender. But those passes—and Helvig’s motorboat—are stolen by two travelers: Mrs. Sorensen, played by Valerie Hobson, and Mr. Pidgeon, portrayed by Esmond Knight. The theft triggers a perilous chase that quickly spirals beyond a simple theft.
Full summary
The whole story of Contraband, scene by scene
Contraband Videos
The clip of Contraband.
How Well Do You Know Contraband?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the Danish Captain Andersen?
Seen Contraband?
Movies Like Contraband
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Contraband, Contraband Spain and Contraband.
Contraband FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Contraband, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Contraband?
Contraband runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was Contraband released?
Contraband was released on May 11, 1940.
Who directed Contraband?
Contraband was directed by Michael Powell.
More films by Michael Powell Who is in the cast of Contraband?
Contraband stars Conrad Veidt as Capt. Andersen, Leo Genn as First Brother Grimm and Hay Petrie as Axel Skold, among 46 credited actors.
Does Contraband have a post-credit scene?
No. Contraband has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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