The outbreak of World War I places Scots officer Geoffrey Richter-Douglas in an uncomfortable position. Although his allegiance is to Britain, his mother was from an aristocratic Bavarian family, and he spent his summers in Germany as a child. When Geoffrey is approached by a German spy who offers him a chance to defect, he reports the incident to his superiors, but instead of arresting the spy they suggest that he accept her offer--and become an Allied agent. In Germany, among old friends, Geoffrey discovers that loyalty is more complicated than he expected, especially when he finds himself aboard the maiden voyage of a powerful new prototype Zeppelin, headed for Scotland on a secret mission that could decide the outcome of the war.
Practical Effects
Full-scale zeppelin interior sets are genuinely impressive for 1971.
Costume
Elke Sommer's spy wardrobe is doing absolutely all the heavy lifting.
Director
Étienne Périer
Michael York
Geoffrey Richter-Douglas
Elke Sommer
Erika Altschul
Peter Carsten
Major Tauntler
Marius Goring
Professor Christian Altschul
Anton Diffring
Colonel Hirsch
Andrew Keir
Von Gorian
Rupert Davies
Captain Whitney
Alexandra Stewart
Stephanie
William Marlowe
Anderson
Alan Rothwell
Brandner
Richard Hurndall
Blinker Hall
Michael Robbins
Cockney Sergeant
Ben Howard
Jamie Fergusson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The production built a 60-foot partial zeppelin exterior for location shooting, which local Scottish residents reportedly mistook for a real aircraft in distress.
Released during the peak of Michael York's 'accidentally sexy in period pieces' era, between Cabaret and The Three Musketeers.
GB
