vogun-17563
Most of the best parts are in the second half (as another reviewer states). It opens well, which includes a great exchange at the prison gates. It then settles into an English 1930's type film that is slightly askew, in that the crook is accepted back into the Middle Class family fold, and not much is said about the miscreant.The plot develops, and could be quicker, but then by half way through the film, it takes off in style. It involves counterfeiting, mountain scenery, a love interest and general chicanery. It must be important case I thought, as there were undercover policemen operating in the UK as well as in Switzerland. The Swiss scenes fooled me, as it looked like most of them were shot on location in Switzerland (?). Yes, there were backdrops but there were none for the marvellous ski chase scene, which was very realistic in that skiers fell over, unlike the Olympic skiers in Jame's Bond's OHMSS. It all moved along at a very entertaining pace in the second half and for me was worth the first half. It must be said that the acting is staid in parts (it is the 1930's after all), and very warm in others thank goodness.For me? I like this kind of film, and my time was not wasted here, as it unlike other movies of this period. I hope that I have given you an idea whether to view or not (I leave the finer details to others to identify).
Leofwine_draca
Ignore the rubbish title, DUSTY ERMINE is an intriguing little crime potboiler made in Britain in 1936. It features an entirely stodgy and studio bound first half which gives way to a rather exciting action-adventure second, with location photography in Austria and the Swiss Alps, no less. The storyline is about a likable old-time forger who's just been released from prison. Although his family welcome him back with open arms, he soon falls into his old ways and becomes involved with a criminal gang whose main hideout is in the Alps.After a while, the action thankfully shifts to this exotic locale, building incident upon incident until the picture closes with a large-scale skiing set-piece that brings to mind the likes of the Bond pic THE SPY WHO LOVED ME. Seriously, the skiing action is out of this world and ahead of its time; DUSTY ERMINE must have had a decent budget for once, because I haven't seen much like this in a 1930s B-movie before. The cast is rather below-par (although Margaret Rutherford has a hilarious supporting turn) but when this film hits the mark it really works.
millerman1939
Hi Folks, This is a great British film of 1936 with a good cast and story, the ending sequence will have you on the edge of your seats just like in the great tradition of 1930's serial cliffhangers, I found my self yelling at the screen 'for heaven's sake get down that mountain' not something I'm given to doing at films nowadays at 62 it's not something thats the thing to do... or is it, this film is great fun and the end chase down the ski slopes is a real cliffhanger, it took me back to Saturday morning kids matinée's during the 1950's, if you enjoy old cinema serials enjoy this film, if you've never seen this type film then watch and enjoy and see what you missed, also worth watching for the technology of the time, which in no way decreases the pace, great entertainment.
russell-16
For a British film of this period it has a very fast pace, albeit mostly due to rear screen work. The performances, although a little theatrical, are very good for the time. Margaret Rutherford is particularly entertaining. I found the film thoroughly enjoyable, but then I like that kind of thing.
AD
