Ill Met by Moonlight (1957)

There's nothing really wrong with Ill Met by Moonlight, an adequate and acceptable war-and-intrigue yarn. Unfortunately, the talent associated with it leads one to expect a much better -- or at the very least, a much more inventive -- film than one gets. Director-writers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger are unable to imbue Moonlight with any of the magic of Black Narcissus or Red Shoes. While the film is certainly attractive enough, it doesn't have the special visual flair that one normally associates with the two. Nor have the creators found richness in the characters or a distinctive manner of telling the engaging but rather routine story. Their stars turn in very fine performances, but even here there's a bit of a letdown. Dirk Bogarde does everything that's required of the part and pulls it off quite well, but there are few of those "Bogarde" moments that are so special and memorable. If David Oxley and especially Marius Goring come off somewhat better, it's perhaps because one doesn't have the expectations of them that one does of Bogarde. Despite its flaws, Ill Met by Moonlight is certainly enjoyable and agreeable, even if it is also disappointing. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide