The Red Danube

"Beautiful Maria...the four lives that touched hers were never the same again!"

Oct 14 1949 Passed 1h 59m
Drama, Romance, War

A Russian ballerina in Vienna tries to flee KGB agents and defect.

Plot

Shortly after the end of World War II, British Colonel Michael S. "Hooky" Nicobar (Walter Pidgeon) is assigned to a unit in the British Zone of Vienna. His duty is to aid the Soviet authorities to repatriate citizens of the Soviet Union, many of whom prefer not to return to their home country. Billeted in the convent run by Mother Auxilia (Ethel Barrymore), Nicobar, and his military aides Major John "Twingo" McPhimister (Peter Lawford) and Audrey Quail (Dame Angela Lansbury), become involved in the plight of young ballerina Olga Alexandrova (Janet Leigh), who is trying to avoid being returned to Moscow. Nicobar's sense of duty is tested as he sees first hand the plight of the people he is helping return to the Soviet Union; his lack of religious faith is also shaken by his contact with the Mother Superior.

Written by

Gina Kaus, Arthur Wimperis, Bruce Marshall

Directed by

George Sidney

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Languages

Español, English

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 nomination total

Scores
# of Votes
754
Average Rating
6.5 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA