Uncertain Glory

Plot

During World War II, Jean Picard (Errol Flynn) is a convicted killer being led to the guillotine. He escapes during an air raid but is captured by French Sûreté Inspector Marcel Bonet (Paul Lukas). They learn that a bridge has been blown up by three saboteurs, and that the Germans have taken 100 hostages who will be killed unless the saboteurs are apprehended by the Vichy police. To buy time in order to escape again, Picard persuades Bonet to let him pose as one of the saboteurs to save the hostages. In the course of enacting a story that will convince the Vichy that Picard is one of the escaped saboteurs, he and Bonet encounter the real saboteur, captured by the Vichy, and aid him in escaping.

Picard falls in love with Marianne (Jean Sullivan), a local girl, and with freedom just ahead for both of them, struggles with his conscience over the fate of the hostages, her trust in him, and his own perception of himself.

Production

In September 1942 it was announced that Flynn had signed a new contract with Warners for four films a year, one of which he was to also produce. This was the first film produced under Flynn's new contract with Warners which allowed him a say in the choice of vehicle, director and cast, plus a portion of the profits. He formed his own company, Thomson Productions, to make Uncertain Glory and planned to make a series of films with director Raoul Walsh.

Paul Lukas - who had just had a big hit with Watch on the Rhine, was attached in July 1943. Faye Emerson and Jean Sullivan were signed to support.

Principal photography on Uncertain Glory started in August 1943. During filming it was announced Warners would rush release plans on this and Passage to Marseilles, another drama set in occupied France.

Some filming took place in the grape country in Escondido. While shooting there, labor-strapped farm hands insisted the unit had to pick grapes with them before they would allow filming to take place.

Reception

The Washington Post said "Flynn has never given a more restrained, earnest and believable portrayal ... there is guile, sly humour, an appealing bravado, grim rebellion, gentleness, charm, in his drawing of a character that is alternately enigmatic and transparent. Mr Flynn is more of an actor than many have thought."