5 Fingers
by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: James Mason, Michael RennieDirector: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Performer: Danielle Darrieux
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); Korean (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: DVD, Import, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 108 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-12-08
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Phantom Sound & Vision
Movie Reviews of 5 Fingers
Movie Review: Magnificent! James Mason at his best!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was thinking about how great an actor James Mason was and decided to go fishing on Amazon to see what else I could find on him and came across this absolute GEM. Throw in director Joseph L. Mankiewicz and musical score by Bernard Hermann...plus an outstanding supporting cast and you have one great movie. Mankiewicz and Hermann also worked together on 1947's "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," another great film - no - the most romantic film ever made. If you listen closely to Hermann's musical score in Five Fingers, you will also hear some parts that reappear again in Mason's greatest ever acting role and performance, 1957's "North by Northwest." Listen for the oboes and you'll see what I mean. Michael Rennie is also excellent in this film as the British counter-espionage expert. Another good WWII film with Rennie is "Sailor for the King" where he plays a British Navy admiral. Anyway, back to Five Fingers. What a great film to discover! But with Mason, can you ever go wrong? One of the greatest actors ever....oh, those golden vocal chords. He is just absolutely excellent. The plot also is great. I never once found myself questioning its legitimacy. The only part of it I will say I had a question about: the existence of Ultra...the reading of the German codes...was not disclosed until 1970. In fact, right after the war ended, Winston Churchill went to British code-breaking center Bletchley Park and ordered everything pulled out into the center courtyard, burned, and everyone sworn to an oath of secrecy forever....they did this in Churchill's presence. So...how does a film made in 1952 disclose the British breaking of diplomatic codes prior to Ultra's disclosure in 1970? After all, Five Fingers is based on a true story. Maybe the explanation is that the German diplomatic codes were not part of the Ultra operation. That is certainly possible. It must have been the case if we are to accept this story to be completely true, which it claims to be. Or another way to look at it is that the German author of the book that served as the basis for this movie was actually the first to disclose Ultra indirectly. But then...he was German so how would he have known? Ah! Another plot within a plot! In sum, if you want a truly great film with great acting, great music, great plot, and great script, then Five Fingers is for you. It is thoroughly enjoyable. I loved all of it. If only movies today would rely on these solid foundations instead of all those ridiculous special effects. RIP James Mason. One of the real greats of the movies.
Summary of 5 Fingers
High quality import edition, manufactured in South Korea. NTSC Format, Region 1, playable on any North American DVD player. Original English dialog with optional Korean subtitles which can be easily turned off. On screen menus are in English and are easy to use. Very clear and sharp full screen black and white image. The following review appears in Amazon for the VHS edition: "Rather astonishingly, "5 Fingers" is based on a true story of WWII espionage in Turkey. In the British consulate in Ankara, an enigmatic spy is selling confidential information to the Germans. James Mason plays Ulysses Diello, a practically perfect manservant who dreams of a better life. He plots to become a 'gentleman' via his spying and teams up with an impoverished Polish Countess (Danielle Darrieux). Buckle your seatbelts, because it's going to be a bumpy night! Mason's suave British demeanor has never been used to such perfect effect. He's spectacular as the pragmatic spy, who is given the codename "Cicero." Danielle Darrieux is nearly as good in her role, as are the supporting cast. The film is as enjoyable and well-made a spy flick as you're likely to ever see. The Oscar nominated script is filled with sharp writing, unforeseen plot twists, and some genuine laughs. Joseph L. Mankiewicz ("All About Eve") directed and received an Oscar nomination -- it's among his very best work. Why this movie is not better known is a mystery. "5 Fingers" has every element of a true classic -- most highly recommended."Similar DVD Movies
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