Movieo
Poster for Hangmen Also Die!

Hangmen Also Die!

The shot heard 'round the world!

1943 · 2h 14m · Approved Drama, Thriller, War
Directed by Fritz Lang

Seen it?

Overview

During the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, surgeon Dr. Franticek Svoboda, a Czech patriot, assassinates the brutal "Hangman of Europe", Reichsprotektor Reinhard Heydrich, and is wounded in the process. In his attempt to escape, he is helped by history professor Stephen Novotny and his daughter Mascha.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
87%
Tomatometer
Fresh

From a directorial standpoint this is a triumph for Fritz Lang, who succeeds with singular success in capturing the spirit of the Czech people in the face of the Nazi reign of terror.

Variety Staff, Variety
Rotten

For all of Mr. Lang's finesse, his film is too patient -- it runs well over two hours -- too ponderous to hit its stride as melodrama. Nor does it match in emotional power and conviction its heroic theme.

Theodore Strauss, New York Times
Fresh

The two-and-a-quarter-hour film has the iconic thrust of a silent; the pro-sacrifice resistance cant has an oddly jihadist tenor today.

Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
Fresh

Superb performances throughout, while James Wong Howe's photography perfectly captures the spirit of the occupied city, where hiding places are few and far from safe.

Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Rotten

Although Director Fritz Lang gives this familiar material occasional touches of distinction, the picture still misses Grade A rank.

TIME Magazine

Comments

Talk about the film with other members

More films