In this film the legendary Greta Garbo stars as the infamous spy "Mata Hari" who uses her wiles as an exotic dancer during World War I to seduce selected generals and politicians in Paris and then steals their secrets in the heat of passion before passing them on the Germans. Now while I candidly admit that this story doesn't exactly conform to actual history considering the year this movie was produced I have to say that it was still quite interesting all the same. Of course Greta Garbo had much to do with that as I thought she was absolutely stunning. Yet even though I liked her performance I must also admit that in my opinion neither the script nor the other actors involved managed to rise to the occasion and as a result this movie failed to realize its potential. I especially didn't care for the ending as it was just a bit too melodramatic for my tastes. Be that as it may, while this movie might be of interest to nostalgia buffs or fans of Greta Garbo, I have to rate this movie as only slightly better than average.

The Silky, Shiny, Clinging Costumes Glitter with that MGM Sheen on Greta Garbo, Slinking around as a Sultry, Seductive Spy. Not Only a Spy but the Infamous Enigmatic Exotic Dancer who it was Speculated Caused the Death of Thousands in WWI.So why isn't this Movie One of the Great Ones. Because its Clunk Overshadows the Funky Hats and Sparkly Attire. It is Assembled with a Montage that is Hardly Exciting. It Lingers a lot, and for a Spy Drama that can be Troublesome. The Lingering can be Forgiven when One Ogles the Sensuous Garbo and Her Delicious Duds, but the Story Drags.Lionel Barrymore Overacts as Usual and Roman Navarro Plays it Very Naive, Almost Childlike and is just too Vulnerable for Any Tension and as a Result Their Scenes Together are not as Good as the Ones when He is Off Screen. There is One Exception and that is Perhaps the Most Moving Scene of the Movie. The Oft Mentioned Madonna Candle.Overall, it is Definitely Worth a Watch and the Shadowy Lighting is Interesting at Times and Greta Garbo is Always Appealing, but the Film Disappoints because when it isn't Very Good (and it is occasionally) it is Very Bad.

Audiences today have largely not heard of Greta Garbo, who was the queen of MGM from the silent days up until the time she made her last film in 1941. Her beauty was unrivaled with the possible exception of Marlene Dietrich, to whom she was often compared. "Mata Hari" tells the true story of the WW1 spy who conquered all with her feminine wiles. Garbo is beautifully costumed and superbly photographed in this film, which shows why MGM was at the head of their game even in the early-talkie era. Lionel Barrymore plays a good part in this and Ramon Navarro (who was gay in real life) plays his love scenes with the proper amount of nostril-flaring that went with the Latin-lover image he had fostered. (Although here he plays a Russian, or Rus-si-an, as Garbo pronounces it.) A fun movie that flies by fast.

Greta Garbo is at her most alluring as Mata Hari the famed World War One spy who seduced officers for military secrets. The enigmatic Garbo was perfectly cast for the Hollywood treatment and surrounded by lavish MGM production values she is a stunning sight to behold. Garbo's potent eroticism however is really all the film has to offer due to the terrible miscasting of Ramon Novarro and Lionel Barrymore in the two male leads. The delicate Novarro's passion comes across as less love and more of awe and desire to be half the man Garbo is. Their close-ups are beauty contests. Barrymore as Russian General Stubin is pure farce sounding more Ozark than Odessa. Garbo of course dominates any composition (even with the MGM Lion) so their clumsy presence is diluted somewhat. Once again Lewis Stone admirably shadows Greta and the perfectly utilized (what a perfect interrogator's face) C. Henry Stephens as the dogged inspector gives a strong performance.Outside forces also intercede and that is the censorship in place when Mata Hari was re-released (and may be the only print available) . They cut to pieces Garbo's erotic and highly charged dance beautifully photographed and made her look sloppy along with the fact she was no dancer to begin with. Gone completely is her execution at the end which is quite powerful. I either saw this scene in the films entirety or in a documentary some forty years back.It is a tribute to the face of Garbo that she can suffer inferior subordinates and censorship and still command your attention.