Worth a look at, as it is interesting all the way through with the plot and the acting. Not the usual war film, and raises some questions for those who are unappreciative (me) of the dilemmas of going to war. The protagonist starts off all confident in this assignment, and when confronted with the realities of war, he has serious misgivings.The film begins with a terrific opening scene, which gripped me from the start (would have been better in colour), and then moves along to develop the plot. Mention must be made that Irene Worth, is very good in this movie, and the look of horror on her face when disclosed information she does not want to know is well delivered. I must also mention that she also cuts a very fine shape, and shows that a woman can be sexy with her clothes on. The other main actors are also very good, although I did wonder about James Robertson Justice being included, and there are one or two questionable scenes, which reminded me a little of John Cleese and Monty Python's - "Attack me with a banana sketch", but he does have one particular scene which I am prepared to forgive any others for.If you like the sound of this and wondering if to view or not, then I would say yes, it's worth it. If 1950's black and white movies about war are not for you, then skip it, although it's not the usual type of war film.

This movie ,in spite of its tragic plot,shows Asquith's infatuation with France :not only the hero is served a delicious quiche Lorraine in one of the first scenes ,but he also used an old French song from long ago;besides, the stand out of his work is arguably English actor Leslie French(!) ,really admirable in the scenes with his pussycat,the victim who can ask why ,unlike the people who die during the bombings .There is also a strange use of this old French folk song from 1792 ,"Cadet Rousselle":no,it's not a Chanson about Revolution;it actually makes its hero an object of ridicule:the first lines go like this: "Cadet Rousselle A Trois Maisons Qui N'Ont Ni Poutres Ni Chevrons " "Cadet Rousselle has got three houses which have neither beams nor rafters (...)it's to put up the swallows..)This choice may be bewildering for a French viewer who may wonder whether they did not choose stuff like " Auprès De Ma blonde" ;probably because the dear lady who taught our hero the FRench language taught him this song and to both of them ,it's a dear memory.That said ,it's disappointing that French is almost never used in France ,even when the Parisians speak between them.The first third,including training with James Robertson Justice ,is a bit slow-moving ,and Mrs Lilian Gish is wasted ;but the movie hits its stride in the second third and grabs the viewer till the end .The principal,Paul Massie, gets good support from Irene Worth as Leonie ,a woman war has hardened ,and particularly Leslie French,whose very moving performance was hailed by French critic Jean Tulard .The screenplay puts the blame on the absurdity of war ;the victim loves cats ("but so does Himmler" Leonie hastens to add).The famous proverb " you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs" does not give a meaning to what he did .You will not forget the little girl who played Cinderella's wicked sister ,and ,in real life ,had to play the part of an orphan of the war.

I saw this move perhaps 40 years ago, during the height of my interest in espionage and spy tradecraft. I remember being mesmerized by the gritty reality of this movie and the fine portrayal of the agent/assassin as played by Eddie Albert. It remains what is perhaps one of his most serious roles, and the film reveals a side of his talent rarely revealed in his other movies. Every detail of the film, from mission preparation through to the conclusion, was exceptionally well done. I would love to find a copy of this somewhere; it remains a personal favorite.

I saw this film on the late show about 25 years ago & haven't seen it since but I still remember much of it vividly. A soldier is parachuted into occupied France during World War II & is "ordered to kill" a resistance leader who is believed to have been collaborating with the Nazis. However, as he works his way into the trust of his target, he begins to believe that he is a loyal Frenchman & not a Nazi sympathizer. He expresses his doubts to his superiors, but they order him to continue his mission. His decision & its consequences form the climax of the movie. Despite its obscurity, the film packs quite an emotional punch & I dearly wish I could see it again. Perhaps time has burnished its image in my mind, but I would rate this as a superior war movie.