The North Star
Performance & Direction: The North Star Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The North Star (1943) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The North Star features a noteworthy lineup led by Dana Andrews . Supported by the likes of Anne Baxter and Walter Huston , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The North Star (1943) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The North Star
Quick Plot Summary: The North Star is a Drama, War film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The North Star
Ending Breakdown: The North Star concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The North Star reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The North Star Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The North Star uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a drama, war film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: The North Star adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The North Star?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Top Cast: The North Star
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The North Star Online?
Streaming HubThe North Star Parents Guide & Age Rating
1943 AdvisoryWondering about The North Star age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The North Star is 108 minutes (1h 48m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, The North Star is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1943 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The North Star worth watching?
The North Star is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The North Star parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The North Star identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The North Star?
The total duration of The North Star is 108 minutes, which is approximately 1h 48m long.
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Critic Reviews for The North Star
I'm not sure I've ever seen a film like this before. An agrarian community in the Ukraine are facing impending invasion from the Nazis so must rally their resources; flee to the hills or stay behind as potential saboteurs. It was made in the middle of WWII and features quite a formidable cast of stars - Anne Baxter, Dana Andrews, Walter's Huston and Brennan (the latter always seems to end up driving a wagon, whichever film he is in!), Dean Jagger, Farley Granger and an excellent Erich von Stroheim all advancing the cause of the freedom from a Soviet perspective; something completely unimaginable from an Hollywood studio just five years later. It is a pretty shameless piece of propaganda. The young, innocent youth under the jackboot of their tyrannical oppressors, using what limited resources they have to try to thwart the overwhelmingly powerful war machine rolling, relentlessly, through their country - bravely sacrificing life and limb along the way. The dialogue is suitably jingoistic, and there are plenty of rousing, anthemic, songs to keep the comrades motivated. As a wartime depiction, it has an earthiness to it, though - there are some scenes that genuinely and plausibly appal and the youth of Baxter (only 20) and Granger (18) plays well to Lewis Milstone's overall intention. Sometimes when you see films like this you wonder how the brutal Nazis ever lost...
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
