

Military investigator Colonel Edwards is assigned a case involving Major Cargill, a Korean War POW who is accused of treason. Although Cargill admits his guilt and Edwards' superiors are impatiently pushing Edwards to move the case to court martial, Edwards becomes convinced of Cargill's innocence.
Acting
Widmark and Basehart's sweaty, claustrophobic duel.
Direction
Malden's only directorial effort—taught by Kazan, shows.
Writing
Tight procedural that weaponizes ambiguity.

Director
Karl Malden
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during the height of McCarthy-era paranoia, the film dared to suggest that extracted confessions might be fraudulent—audacious for 1957.
Karl Malden directed this after Brando insisted he study under Kazan; it's his sole feature as director, and he returned to acting forever after.