Days of Glory

Peck making his debut as a Russian guerrilla in one of those World War II tributes to our gallant Soviet allies which caused so much embarrassment later on. Actually, while making no bones about the fact that the protagonists are Communists, Casey Robinson's script is much more concerned with their doggedly gallant resistance under siege than with any political or propagandist purpose. No one had much to say for the film at the time, but it's sober and surprisingly convincing, even making the romantic interludes with Toumanova (a Catholic ballerina who joins the godless guerillas in their fight) unforced and natural. Quite beautifully directed by Tourneur.