High-profile British director Anthony Asquith (The Winslow Boy) tackles a serious, based on fact subject - written by real-life OSS officer Donald Downes. It tells the story of a decorated pilot and war hero (Paul Massey) selected for the top secret removal of a suspected double agent in Paris. His training commander (Eddie Albert) expresses fears to his commanders that the fellow may be too sensitive to carry out a face-to-face operation of this nature. With little time to act and no immediate replacement, he's assigned the task.
In times of war, information can be unreliable and as our assassin becomes acquainted with his subject, he seriously questions the man's guilt - bringing about several difficult and suspenseful situations. The film was praised on several levels but little known by the public. Performances are excellent and it features good-looking b/w cinematography by veteran Desmond Dickinson (The Importance Of Being Earnest '52) with an effective music score by Benjamin Frankel.
The Studio Canal remastered DVD looks and sounds sharp, and apart from a couple of mild shakes is excellent. Look for the longer British version - as against the shorter, edited USA disc.
Recommended as a detailed character study, & strong example of the blundering stupidity of war - along with the unreliability of intelligence information passed to the top.
In times of war, information can be unreliable and as our assassin becomes acquainted with his subject, he seriously questions the man's guilt - bringing about several difficult and suspenseful situations. The film was praised on several levels but little known by the public. Performances are excellent and it features good-looking b/w cinematography by veteran Desmond Dickinson (The Importance Of Being Earnest '52) with an effective music score by Benjamin Frankel.
The Studio Canal remastered DVD looks and sounds sharp, and apart from a couple of mild shakes is excellent. Look for the longer British version - as against the shorter, edited USA disc.
Recommended as a detailed character study, & strong example of the blundering stupidity of war - along with the unreliability of intelligence information passed to the top.