As the US Army approaches Nazi Germany, they recruit German prisoners to spy behind German lines.As the US Army approaches Nazi Germany, they recruit German prisoners to spy behind German lines.As the US Army approaches Nazi Germany, they recruit German prisoners to spy behind German lines.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 1 win & 4 nominations total
Hildegard Knef
- Hilde
- (as Hildegarde Neff)
Wilfried Seyferth
- Heinz Scholtz - SS Man
- (as Wilfried Seyfert)
Robert Freitag
- Sgt. Paul Richter
- (as Robert Freytag)
Harold Benedict
- Lt. Pete Gevers
- (as H.L. Benedict S/Sgt. USAF)
H.W. Briggs
- Self
- (as H.W. Briggs Sgt. USA)
D.G. Devine
- Lt. Rennick's Driver
- (as D.G. Devine Cpl. USAF)
L.E. Dixon
- Self
- (as L.E. Dixon Maj. USA)
B.L. Hendrickson
- Self
- (as B.L. Hendrickson T/Sgt. USA)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOne of the first films after World War II to portray the German people--outside of the Nazi regime--in a sympathetic light.
- GoofsKarl is mistakenly called a corporal. The Luftwaffe uniform that he wears both in the US POW cage and while back in Germany has the rank insignia of an "Obergefreiter", specifically three winged emblems on the collar patches, plain shoulder straps and two chevrons on his left sleeve. Also when the list is checked for his name at the bridge the rank is written down as 'Gfr' (gefreiter) The ranks of Gefreiter, Obergefreiter and Stabsgefreiter (all which were partially identified by chevrons on the sleeve) were not NCOs and had no command authority over other soldiers. They were simply grades of seniority and would be more equivalent to Private First Class (PFC) in the US military. The German rank that is the closest equivalent to Corporal is Unteroffizer. Also, Karl is wearing the medical badge on his right sleeve; Luftwaffe enlisted medical personnel wore the badge on the left sleeve, while Wehrmacht (army) wore it on the right.
- Quotes
Lt. Dick Rennick: [Intro narration] Of all the questions left unanswered by the last war, and probably any war, one comes back constantly to my mind. Why does a spy risk his life... for what possible reason? If the spy wins, he's ignored. If he loses, he's shot.
- ConnectionsReferenced in That Girl: Decision Before Dawn (1968)
- SoundtracksAch, wie ist' möglich dann (Treue Liebe)
(uncredited)
Written by Friedrich Kücken (1827)
Featured review
The Reich We Did Not Know
And simply the best of its kind on the subject. All the more remarkable for "a Hollywood production," but for my money it might as well be "a foreign film." I agree with the user who thought it took courage to make this.
If I had to focus on the screenful of superlatives, it would be on Litvak's direction, the acting by all and by a young Oskar Werner without question (Stateside viewers may also recognize Herren Blech and Hasse as well as Frau Knef), the photography, and of course the story. Note the film's at-first subtle transition that begins with Happy's re-insertion. Afterwards, view Bernhard Wicki's "Die Bruecke."
A note to the user who gently griped over the perceived inaccuracy of shooters: Try that while standing in a wind tunnel and you'll have some small idea of the challenge posed by a contemporaneous bombing raid. At least they weren't standing beneath trees...
(UPDATE: Seek, find and read "Call It Treason," a novel by George Howe dedicated "To Happy 1925--1945.")
If I had to focus on the screenful of superlatives, it would be on Litvak's direction, the acting by all and by a young Oskar Werner without question (Stateside viewers may also recognize Herren Blech and Hasse as well as Frau Knef), the photography, and of course the story. Note the film's at-first subtle transition that begins with Happy's re-insertion. Afterwards, view Bernhard Wicki's "Die Bruecke."
A note to the user who gently griped over the perceived inaccuracy of shooters: Try that while standing in a wind tunnel and you'll have some small idea of the challenge posed by a contemporaneous bombing raid. At least they weren't standing beneath trees...
(UPDATE: Seek, find and read "Call It Treason," a novel by George Howe dedicated "To Happy 1925--1945.")
helpful•110
- johcafra
- May 18, 2008
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Call It Treason
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 59 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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