U.K. on 7 August 1939 – just weeks before the country again went to war with Germany. Its American premiere was held in New York City on 5 October of that year, and it went into general release two days later. Critical reception The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote "This intricate story is gripping from beginning to end, and very skilfully directed"; Variety opined "Production is A1, as is the direction"; and The New York Times called it "the most exciting spy melodrama since the advent of the Second World War. The British may not have the Bremen, but they still have Conrad Veidt." Awards and honours This film was named by the National Board of Review as one of the ten best films of 1939. References External links The Spy in Black reviews and articles at the Powell & Pressburger Pages . Full synopsis and film stills (and clips viewable from UK libraries). 1939 films 1930s spy films British black-and-white films British spy films Films shot at Denham Film Studios Films directed by Michael Powell Films by Powell and Pressburger World War I spy films World War I submarine films Films set in Orkney U-boat fiction Films scored by Miklós Rózsa Films based on British novels Films produced by Alexander Korda Films set in 1917 British World War I films 1930s British films