“Having filmed the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, Andre de Toth was anxious to direct this first film to consider the eventual trial of Nazi war criminals, in this case not a Hitler or a Goering but a minor Nazi official in a small Polish village. De Toth persuaded Columbia not to cast Paul Lukas as the Nazi, but rather the lesser-known, more believable Alexander Knox. Of de Toth's work, The Hollywood Reporter wrote, ‘His treatment of the subject, his handling of the actors and his unbelievable ability to create new departures from routine procedure are evidence of his artistry as a director. His work has the fresh tang of unbridled daring in some respects, and in others seems to borrow from techniques we have long known but forgotten how to use.'” Anthony Slide