Sabotage Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cinema owner’s side hustle as a terrorist goes sideways when his wife’s little brother becomes an explosive delivery boy.

🍿 Sabotage: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Blackout in London

The film opens with a sudden blackout plunging London into darkness. Authorities quickly determine the cause is sabotage at a power station. Karl Verloc, owner of the Bijou cinema, returns home, feigning sleep while his wife, Sylvia, and her younger brother, Stevie, manage the cinema’s affairs.

Undercover Investigation

Scotland Yard suspects Verloc of being involved with a foreign power and planning further attacks. Detective Sergeant Ted Spencer, posing as a greengrocer’s assistant next door to the Bijou, begins monitoring the Verlocs, hoping to gather evidence. He befriends Sylvia and Stevie, becoming increasingly attracted to Sylvia, who remains oblivious to his true identity and feelings.

The Piccadilly Circus Plot

Verloc receives instructions to plant a bomb at Piccadilly Circus station. He retrieves the bomb from a pet shop owner, Professor Chatman, a fellow conspirator. Verloc, initially hesitant about the deadly nature of the task, is pressured to proceed. To avoid suspicion, Verloc asks Stevie to deliver a package, unknowingly containing the bomb, to Piccadilly Circus.

Tragedy on the Bus

Stevie, carrying the bomb disguised as film canisters, is delayed by various events, including a parade and heavy traffic. As time runs out, he boards a bus. The bomb detonates prematurely, killing Stevie and several passengers. The devastating event sends shockwaves through Sylvia and Ted.

Sylvia’s Realization and Revenge

Sylvia eventually learns the truth about her husband’s involvement from Verloc himself. Consumed by grief and anger, she stabs Verloc to death during dinner. Meanwhile, Ted discovers evidence linking Stevie to the bombing and returns to the Bijou.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mrs. Verloc (Sylvia Sidney): A young American woman and wife to Karl Verloc, who unknowingly becomes entangled in his dangerous activities as a saboteur.
• Karl Verloc (Oscar Homolka): A cinema owner in London who is secretly involved in a foreign sabotage plot.
• Detective Sgt. Ted Spencer (John Loder): An undercover Scotland Yard detective who investigates Verloc and develops feelings for Mrs. Verloc.
• Stevie (Desmond Tester): Mrs. Verloc’s innocent younger brother who becomes unwittingly involved in Verloc’s sabotage plot.
• The Professor (William Dewhurst): A pet shop owner and bomb maker who supplies Verloc with the means to carry out his destructive acts.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ted Spencer: “It’s an act of God, I tell you!” – Ted says this to a crowd demanding their money back after a power outage, highlighting his quick wit.
• Member of Cinema Crowd: “And what do you call an act of God?” – This questions Ted after he made the above statement
• Ted Spencer: “I call your face one, and you won’t get your money back on that.” – Ted made this statement in response to the question made about the Act of God
• Verloc’s Contact: “London must not laugh.” – Verloc’s contact at the aquarium says it to him while reprimanding him for his initial sabotage attempt.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £75,000 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $721

💥 Sabotage Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Sabotage’ to be a really unsettling watch, even now. The scene where the little boy is on the bus, unknowingly carrying a bomb, had me on the edge of my seat. I was really disturbed by the ending when the explosion happened, and this made me very sad. Sylvia Sidney was brilliant, and I could really feel her pain and confusion when she learns the truth about her husband. Even though the story is a bit dark, I was really captivated by this movie and think it’s one of Hitchcock’s most underrated gems.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Alfred Hitchcock”
  • “Viewers interested in classic suspense thrillers”
  • “Those who enjoy stories based on Joseph Conrad novels”
  • “People interested in historical depictions of terrorism”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Terrorism”
  • “Death of a child”
  • “Disturbing themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Hitchcock delivers early suspense with a surprisingly dark edge. Sylvia Sidney shines as the conflicted Mrs. Verloc, caught between loyalty and horror. The film’s daring plot twists, especially the bus scene, are still shocking today.
• The Guardian: “A solid thriller that captures the mood of pre-war London and makes for an exciting watch. The pacing is good and the characters add to the authenticity of the movie. It has some nice touches that are not too predictable. A good movie, overall.
• Empire Magazine: “A solid thriller that is a little underwhelming for Hitchcock. While effective, it lacks the humor and charm of his later classics. However, the tension is well-built and Sylvia Sidney’s performance is captivating.

Audience Reactions

The tension in the bus scene is unbearable and unforgettable.: Viewers praise the film’s suspenseful atmosphere and Sylvia Sidney’s emotional performance.

The plot twists kept me guessing until the very end.: Many enjoyed how the film doesn’t shy away from shocking and unexpected turns.

Overall Consensus: A suspenseful, though sometimes unsettling, thriller that showcases Hitchcock’s early talent for building tension and crafting complex characters.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Alfred Hitchcock considered the scene involving Stevie and the bomb on the bus to be a major error in his career, feeling he had miscalculated audience reaction.”
• “The film is based on Joseph Conrad’s novel ‘The Secret Agent,’ but the title was changed to avoid confusion with Hitchcock’s earlier film ‘Secret Agent’ (1936).”
• “The scene where Sylvia Sidney’s character watches a Disney cartoon (‘Who Killed Cock Robin?’) after learning of her brother’s death is considered a powerful moment of visual storytelling.”
• “Hitchcock used a combination of real locations and carefully crafted sets to create the world of the Verlocs and the Bijou cinema.”

🖥️ How to Watch Sabotage?

Currently, “Sabotage” (1936) is available for streaming via platforms such as Amazon Prime Video (through various add-on subscriptions), and for purchase or rental on platforms like Apple TV and Amazon. Check local listings for availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Sabotage, you might like these similar films:

• The 39 Steps (1935): A classic Hitchcock thriller with a focus on suspense, mistaken identity, and a protagonist caught up in espionage.
• Blackmail (1929): Another early Hitchcock film exploring guilt, blackmail, and the psychological impact of crime, with a focus on a woman driven to desperate measures.
• Foreign Correspondent (1940): Espionage thriller, following a reporter who uncovers a foreign plot, and the perils of international intrigue.
• Munich (2005): The film deals with the aftermath of a terrorist act and the moral dilemmas faced by those seeking revenge, exploring themes of justice and retribution.
• The Conversation (1974): A psychological thriller about a surveillance expert who uncovers a potential murder plot, delving into themes of paranoia and the ethics of spying.

🛒 Sabotage Related Products

• Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection (Limited Edition) [Blu-ray]: A must-have Blu-ray collection for Hitchcock fans, including ‘Sabotage’ along with other classics, bonus content, and a commemorative booklet.
• The Complete Alfred Hitchcock (The Definitive Collection): Includes access to the entire filmography by the artist. Includes all his best loved and renowned movies.
• Alfred Hitchcock’s Sabotage Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating a home theater or film enthusiast’s space.
• The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad: The novel that inspired the movie, offering a deeper dive into the story and its themes.

🎧 Soundtrack

Sabotage features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Love’s Old Sweet Song (Just a Song At Twilight)” – performed by J.L. Molloy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

John Carpenter’s THE THING Who sabotaged the blood bank? movie / film analysis by Collative Learning

Ever wondered who messed with the blood samples in ‘The Thing’? This video dives deep into the mystery, offering a pretty convincing theory that will make you rethink everything!

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