Western Front Association - U.S. Branch - Movie Review of Mata Hari

MATA HARI, a critical U.S. Branch, WFA movie review (reviewed in 2004). There are two NTSC VHS formatted movies (DVD not available): MATA HARI, starring Greta Garbo ($19.99 at Amazon.com), and A&E's BIOGRAPHY - MATA HARI, 1996, ($14.95 at Amazon.com), starring Mata Hari herself in movie clips, which is the version that we reviewed. Running time: 50 minutes. The reviewers are military historian Steve Leavenworth, who rated the film

1/2, and Jim Minnoch, who rated the film

(out of five) for students of the Great War. They can be reached at jemcam@comcast.net.

Mara Hari is probably the most remembered personality of World War I. Stop someone on the street and ask if he knows who Sir Douglas Haig was (1861-1928), and you will get a blank stare; then mention Mata Hari (1876-1917) and, 10 to one, he will know. The story will last forever as it has all the ingredients for a good read: great dancing, great sex, great spying myths, and much action. All this, with a war backdrop, makes for an interesting true story. We liked this no-nonsense, "just the facts, mam" version. And 50 minutes are adequate to have her story imbedded in your memory bank, forever. Steve noted correctly that his rating was based on a favorable general interest in the subject, accuracy of the presentation, and its educational value to students of the war.

Scene from the Film

In brief, Mata Hari (a name that she invented after a sad marriage and divorce) emerged before the war in Paris as a popular "showgirl". She quickly became a sensational hit, acting on the best stages of the day. She had an attractive figure (with small breasts, which were never revealed to the audience), and her dancing movements were considered outlandish, but very entertaining, for the times. Stories are that she became sexually involved with several prominent gentlemen. But, as time went on during the war, her fame diminished and there were times when her lavish lifestyle became financially unsustainable. Then, a series of small events with the Germans made the French suspicious that she was involved in espionage. In the end, she was convicted of being a German spy and was sentenced to death by firing squad.

We recommend this movie to all students of the war. As Steve put it: "This film is agreeably short, delving into her life with just enough detail to satisfy, but not so much as to be boring."

Created: 20 March 2004