Safecracker Eddie Chapman is languishing in prison on the island of Jersey when the Nazis arrive. An adept manipulator of situations, Chapman convinces the Germans to use him to spy on the British. And when the would-be traitor arrives home, he convinces the English to use him as a double agent -- in exchange for a full pardon.
Acting
Plummer's Cheshire cat grin sells every lie
Direction
Terence Young directing actual spy craft before Bond fame
Costume
Nazi uniforms and nightclub tuxedos, equally sharp
Director
Terence Young
Christopher Plummer
Freddie Chapman
Romy Schneider
Helga Lindstrom (The Countess)
Trevor Howard
Freddie Young (Distinguished Civilian)
Gert Fröbe
Colonel Steinhager
Claudine Auger
Paulette
Yul Brynner
Baron von Grunen
Harry Meyen
Lieutenant Keller
Georges Lycan
Leo
Jess Hahn
Commander Braid
John Abbey
Lang
Paul Bonifas
Charlie
Jean-Roger Caussimon
Luftwaffe General (as Jean Rene Caussimon)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Eddie Chapman attended the premiere and reportedly loved Plummer's portrayal of his womanizing, despite the film softening his actual criminal record considerably.
Released the same year as the first on-screen Bond crossover, this was Young's warm-up for 'You Only Live Twice'—notice how he already loved explosions and exotic locations.
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