Snowbound is about a bunch of people in the Alps pretending to ski but really looking for secret hidden Nazi treasure. And yes, it's as unexciting as it sounds.Robert Newton is a film director-a completely random profession; there's no useful reason why he's written to be in the film industry-and he asks Dennis Price to go to the Alps. Dennis is an idiot and completely trusts Bobbie, so off he goes. He continues to be an idiot by falling in love with Mila Parely, even when she's obviously giving a Marlene Dietrich impersonation. Then, he doesn't suspect Herbert Lom might be the bad guy, even though he tries really hard to look as creepy as possible at all times!Since the lead isn't too bright, there's no real reason to root for him. The bad guys aren't particularly interesting either, and how many secret Nazi movies can you sit through before you get really sick of them? I liked The Devil Makes Three better, but even that one had its weak points.

Robert Newton was the selling point here but is woefully underused and after recruiting Dennis Price as a spy at the start he disappears for the major part of the running time leaving the lion's share of the screen to journeyman actors like Price and Guy Middleton. Best of the rest is Herbert Lom, the closest in talent to Newton. It's something of a Boy's Own Paper yarn albeit one with a factual premise; with the end of the war clearly inevitable the Nazis began frantically shipping plunder, in the form of priceless art, gold and even cash, either out of Europe altogether or at least well hidden within Europe and, inevitably there are those who know of it and would like to find it. This is your plot and all you need now is a motley crew to do the searching. Apart from the criminal under use of Newton it's not too hard to take.

Here is a very enjoyable (and very underrated) little thriller from the golden age of British movie-making. I really don't think you could ask for much more when given an interesting story, an excellent cast and solid production values. It's one of those nice films that it is very difficult not to like.Special mention must be made of the superb cinematography of Stephen Dade and the beautiful sets. These contributions will linger in your memory long after you see the picture.I would have liked to see a little more of Robert Newton since he always gives an enjoyable performance, but that is only a minor quibble.Seek this one out.

The actor from the Czech Republic who reinvented himself as Herbert Lom looked quite menacing in this film. In black and white, he has the same sinister demeanour as James Mason. He's likeable though. Swarve, conservative with volatile undertones. I'm surprised he went quite unnoticed during the 40's.