This is a better film than I remembered featuring the King and the Godfather l, Yul Brynner and Marlon Brando, playing two men seemingly on the same side as the film begins, and as detailed about the characters come out, they are both on the exact side but the opposite of what the viewer was led to believe. Brando is working with the British to prevent a cargo ship of rubber from making it to Germany, and he must make the merchant marine's ship's captain (Brynner) believe that he's in the secret service. Brynner too is anti-Nazi, but is keeping that a secret as well. There are other anti-nazis aboard ship who discover what Brando is up to, and they prevent him from being exposed when their cover is blown.
There's also a Jewish girl aboard, Janet Margolin, and in an explosive scene, Brando reveals what his motives really are, desperate to protect her. Things get a bit complicated when out of nowhere Brynner has a breakdown, basically exposing his hatred towards the Nazis, and that risks Brando's security. The film does get rather convoluted at times, my brother to find their way back, even though the screenplay could have avoided the confusion.
It's great to see these two masters of drama working together, and they are supported by a wonderful ensemble which includes Wally Cox (not looking at all like Mr. Peepers) and Trevor Howard in a cameo as Brando's British contact. This has excellent black and white photography with the camera really the only how to move to capture each piece of action and every emotion, and is quite chilling as the films reaches its climax. Maybe not the best World War Ii espionage film, but it was much better for me on my second viewing of it. Not familiar with director Bernhard Wicki, I was quite impressed with the technical aspects and pacing if not the entire film overall.
There's also a Jewish girl aboard, Janet Margolin, and in an explosive scene, Brando reveals what his motives really are, desperate to protect her. Things get a bit complicated when out of nowhere Brynner has a breakdown, basically exposing his hatred towards the Nazis, and that risks Brando's security. The film does get rather convoluted at times, my brother to find their way back, even though the screenplay could have avoided the confusion.
It's great to see these two masters of drama working together, and they are supported by a wonderful ensemble which includes Wally Cox (not looking at all like Mr. Peepers) and Trevor Howard in a cameo as Brando's British contact. This has excellent black and white photography with the camera really the only how to move to capture each piece of action and every emotion, and is quite chilling as the films reaches its climax. Maybe not the best World War Ii espionage film, but it was much better for me on my second viewing of it. Not familiar with director Bernhard Wicki, I was quite impressed with the technical aspects and pacing if not the entire film overall.