Considering how good the cast is, 'Journey into Fear' is surprisingly bad. The plot is badly worked out -- a major flaw for a suspense film, and the characters aren't developed, either. It's very short -- but still tedious. Potentially interesting characters are introduced, only to be immediately dropped. And the story is so undeveloped, it just isn't convincing, even in its own terms. There are a few well-shot Hitchcock-esque atmospheric scenes -- particularly of the assassin -- but it ain't Hitchcock.
Rather dated but interesting old film.Photography was good but action poor.No surprises except to see
Orson Welles in a good character role.Worth seeing as a "B" film.
Given the cast and the Eric Ambler book on which it is based, "Journey into Fear" disappoints throughout, and even the great Orson Welles struggles to give a convincing performance. Joseph Cotton underwhelms. Some good camera work but overall a boring film that fails to hold your attention.