In the romantic spy drama Shining Through (released in theaters on Jan. 31, 1992), Linda Voss (Melanie Griffith) is a spirited secretary of Jewish-German descent working for a high-powered New York lawyer, Ed Leland (Michael Douglas). Set against the backdrop of World War II, the plot thickens when Linda discovers that Ed is actually a high-ranking intelligence officer in the OSS.
After an American spy is killed in Berlin, Linda – driven by her heritage and a desire to find her missing relatives -convinces a reluctant Ed to send her undercover into the heart of Nazi Germany.
Her mission is to infiltrate the home of a high-level Nazi official, General Franze-Otto Dietrich (Liam Neeson), to gather intelligence on the development of secret V-2 rockets.
Disguised as a cook for Dietrich’s household, Linda navigates a world of extreme danger where a single slip in her accent could mean certain death.
She finds an ally in Margrete von Eberstein (Joely Richardson), a German aristocrat with her own secrets, while receiving distant guidance from Konrad Friedrichs (John Gielgud), a member of the German resistance.
As the war reaches its peak, the professional mission becomes deeply personal for Ed, who must eventually venture into enemy territory himself to rescue Linda.
Directed by David Seltzer, the film blends the tension of a traditional espionage thriller with the heightened emotion of a classic Hollywood melodrama, focusing on the bravery of an “ordinary” woman thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
Of note, Jan de Bont did the film’s cinematography and Michael Kamen composed the original music score.
Melanie Griffith and Michael Douglas in Shining Through (Photo/20th Century Fox)
Reception for Shining Through
Shining Through grossed $6.4 million on its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office.
The film would gross $21.6 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave Shining Through two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Shining Through‘s legacy is defined by its commitment to the grand, cinematic style of the 1940s, arriving at a time when Hollywood was transitioning toward more cynical portrayals of warfare.
While it was a polarizing release in 1992, it has since found a following among fans of “prestige” wartime dramas that prioritize character and romantic stakes alongside historical suspense.
The film is often cited as a significant bridge for its lead actors; it allowed Griffith to showcase a more dramatic, courageous range beyond her comedic roots, and it featured Neeson in a complex, villainous role just a year before his career-defining turn in Schindler’s List.
Beyond its cast, the film’s legacy is preserved through its lush production design and sweeping score, standing as a nostalgic tribute to the era of the “woman’s picture” while exploring the very real courage of civilian resistance during the Holocaust.
