*By submitting your contribution, you agree to TCM's Terms of Use. TCM will use your personal information consistent with our Privacy Policy

• the informer

  • kevin sellers
  • 2/20/17

  I had the same reaction to this film that I had to "Raging Bull," that only the greatest movies can make you care about a thoroughly base individual. Credit should be given, of course, to Victor McLaglen, whose greatest performance this is, for showing us the humanity behind or beneath or alongside the monster of deception, vanity, bluster, and betrayal that is Gyppo Nolan. That you are moved by his inevitable demise and feel that it is the stuff of tragedy is also due to Dudley Nichols' fine screenplay and most crucially John Ford's brooding, brilliant direction, where the camera is not just following Gyppo through the (moral) nightime fog of Dublin, but sometimes seems to be stalking his soul as well. Certain images, like the faces of Gyppo's implacable IRA judges at his "trial" and the face of the mother of the man he sold out as she forgives him, get to the heart of this film's themes of sin and redemption. My only criticisms, one minor and the other fairly major, are that I agree with previous reviewers that certain scenes drag (like the one in the saloon/bordello) and (the biggie) that at this early stage of his career Ford had not yet learned how to depict three dimensional women. What we are given instead are Irish madonnas. Make that melodramatic Irish madonnas. So, for those two reasons I'm forced to give this otherwise fine film an A minus. P.S. Joseph Sauers, who later changed his name to Joseph Sawyer and played Sgt. O'Hara in "Rin Tin Tin," was pretty damn chilling as the face of rough IRA justice, huh?

• The Informer............so depressing

  • Janet Masly
  • 3/1/16

  I really didn't like this film at all because of the character Gypo. The guy was a drunken jerk. He did not typify the Irish in a positive light. Instead, he was shown as a disloyal, greedy, thoughtless, disgraceful and lying person....a person who only thought of himself. People all knew him and knew he shouldn't have all that reward money. I didn't buy the idea that even though he ratted the guy out to get 20 pounds that he didn't know what he was doing. Of course he knew! I wish Gypo hadn't been such a idiot because it could've been a good movie. I was so glad when he was caught. The ending was the best part of this film. The overall theme of the story overshadowed anything else, be it acting or directing. This movie was NOT enjoyable to watch. I enjoyed watching Victor McLaglen in THE QUIET MAN alot better. This movie was totally depressing.

• A film close to John Ford's heart

  • Robert
  • 2/27/14

  John Ford being of Irish descent, this story of Ireland's centuries long fight for freedom against British oppression was probably dear to his heart. There are many memorable scenes. Who could forget the chilling images of British soldiers storming the house of an Irish freedom fighter and gunning him down in cold blood in front of his family? John Ford made some of America's greatest films. This is one of his classics.

• The Idiot

  • Meredith
  • 12/6/13

  I really didn't like this film because of McLaglen (not his acting, but because of the character Gypo). The guy was a drunken idiot. I couldn't stand the way he was being such a buffoon by buying people food and drink. They all knew him and knew he shouldn't have all that money. And I didn't buy the idea that even though he ratted the guy out to get 20 pounds because of what his girl said that he didn't know what he was doing. Of course he knew! I wish Gypo hadn't been such a moron because it could've been a good movie if he used more intrigue and smarts to elude the rebels. Instead he fell right into their hands still not even aware of how much trouble he was in. And, I was so glad he was caught, I thought well finally he'll shut up - the ending was the best part of this film.

• The Informer

  • Dashiell B.
  • 2/11/13

  An engaging drama that won director Ford his first Oscar. McLaglen won the Best Actor award as a slow-witted brawler who informs his rebellious ally for twenty pounds. Steiner's score won an Oscar, as did the adaptation of the now-dated & sometimes draggy story. A fine film nonetheless. I give it a 4/5.

• Fine Film

  • I_Fortuna
  • 2/11/13

  Finally, a film I can enjoy in the Oscar marathon on TCM. I regret that many of the films selected by the Academy I have little affection for. This is not to say that the actors and some of the film picks are not worthy of Oscars because I believe that some of them are. This film is so well done from top to bottom. If anyone has read the writings of Brendan Behan and Liam O'Flaherty, it will be evident that it accurately depicts the Irish struggle. After a period in time, it seems that many great films of top quality were overlooked by the Academy. I am happy McLaglen, Nichols and Ford recieved recognition for this fine film adapted from O'Flaherty's writings.

• MUST SEE--MUST OWN!!

  • xanticrime
  • 4/22/11

  I came to know

• The Informer

  • Mark Sutch
  • 4/13/11

  ***1/2

• McLaglen in mind

  • Jack The Hat
  • 8/17/09

  This pictue and it's author had to have Victor McLaglen in mind---no one else could have done it so well. Great, great film!

• A John Ford Classic

  • Charles McVicker
  • 5/2/07

  John Ford is without a doubt one of the greatest American filmmakers of the 20th century. His tale of Gypo Nolan a rather ignorant man who must overcome his inner strife to save himself and his love Katie from the times for which they live in. Victor Mclaglen is simply magnificent in his betrayal of the informant Gypo Nolan. Ford won the Oscar for Best Director and rightfully so he allows us to feel the pain and remorse of Gypo making you feel sorry for this anti-hero of sorts. The brilliance of Ford is his ability to take strong characters appear human and often makes the viewer think. A definite classic.

• More Reviews