Always excellent director Henry Hathaway once again directs Tyrone Power in another solid movie. This one concerns a State Department courier whose duties are both routine and boring until he gets tangled in a special assignment.Of special interest in seeing this 1962 movie are the authentic locations in Europe which show us what Europe was like 50 years ago; much different in the post-war era than now. Another big plus is seeing soon-to-be superstars Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson (and Michael Ansara) in supporting roles before they made it big.Too bad this title wasn't released in video. Frankly, as both a movie fan and as a stockholder in 20th Century-Fox, I felt no guilt at all in seeking this one out from "private" sources. I bought mine on Ebay,at a reasonable price. If the producers don't release the title, that's what happens.

This is one of the best of the post-war intrigue/suspense flicks. What all of these have in common is the gritty black-and-white look of cities that haven't recovered from the war, usually in ruins, to varying degrees. (Think The Third Man, The Search, Berlin Express) There are no ruins in Diplomatic Courier, but you still get that shadowy, melancholy, sinister, exotic atmosphere that marks the genre.Others, who pick apart the "accuracy" or logic of certain parts of Diplomatic Courier are pedantic prigs who don't know how to watch a movie. Sure, there are a few lapses, but in such a fast-paced movie, with so many plot points, it's amazing that the story holds together so well. This is due, I think, to Henry Hathoway, one of the great line directors of the studio system. Add the cinematography of the great Lucien Ballard, and you have a handsome production.As for the cast, who cares if Bogart would have been better? Tyrone Power is, well, Tyrone Power. No, he's no Bogart, but who doesn't enjoy just watching him? And he is one of the great action film stars. And we have Patricia Neal, at her most beautiful and vampish, in that mink coat for Ty Power to nestle his face in. I think the Power-Neal thing is essential because it serves as a light-hearted counterpoint to the severe, portentous relationship of Power-Neff.And speaking of Hildegard Neff, I agree with a previous reviewer, that this film showcases the talent and beauty of one of the finest actresses that Hollywood ever trashed.

There's a lot to like in this spy adventure, but it is overwhelmed completely by innumerable examples of silliness in the plot, inexplicable coincidences, and hammy acting in the supporting roles. Actually, all the performances are fine, with the exception of Stephen McNally and Karl Malden as an intelligence officer and his sergeant. Malden, normally a superb actor, seems here to have been wired to a car battery, so amped up is his portrayal. Though his character is a normal enough fellow, Malden plays him at fever pitch and volume. Tyrone Power is very good as the courier over his head in international intrigue, and Patricia Neal and Hildegarde Knef are excellent as women who may or may not be what they seem. But the plot contrivances erase what believability the story might have had, with good guys and bad guys both showing up just when it's convenient for them to do so, realism notwithstanding. The print I saw, too, suggests that at least one scene was edited out before release, as Power's casual departure to the airport early in the film dissolves into the middle of a completely unexplained chase sequence. Another interesting note is some actually rather well-done special effects shots, particularly when Power narrowly misses being run down by a car which does run down someone else. It's clear on reexamination that neither Power nor the other actor was filmed at the same time as the car, but the effect is rather startlingly well done for 1952. It does appear, too, that none of the principal actors actually filmed in Trieste, as almost all of their scenes there seem to have been done with either rear projection or doubles. Tyrone Power completists will want to see this, as will those collecting bit roles by Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson, but otherwise this is almost a waste of time, despite some real promise.

I SAW THIS MOVIE IN THE 50s, but I remember that it was well played by Tyrone Power and Hildegarde Neff, with solid direction and good B&W photography.Charles Bronson ( uncredited ), had only a few seconds on the screen, but I remember vividly that he made a tremendous impression, and I was sure he would attain stardom.