The Man Who Never Was
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Movie Reviews of The Man Who Never Was
Movie Review: A war film with the emphasis on suspense
Summary: 5 Stars
As the North African campaign of WWII drew to a close it became obvious that the Allies next move would be to invade Sicily. A deception was therefore needed to try to lure away some of the German defences. Inter-services "XX Committee" (XX for double-cross) members Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu, and Squadron Leader Sir Archibald Cholmondley hatched the then unheard of plan of planting a body in the sea off Spain where prevailing currents would surely carry it inshore to the Huelva region, known to be the territory of one of the Nazis' best Spanish agents. The body, dressed as a major in the Royal Marines and apparently killed in a plane crash at sea, would be carrying supposedly top secret documents aimed at convincing any reader that the invasion target was not Sicily at all, but Greece. Montagu himself plays a cameo role in the film as an Air Marshall.
The film takes us through the planning and execution of what its creators hoped would become one of the most successful and unusual deceptions in the history of warfare. The leading role of Montagu is played by Clifton Webb, utterly credible as a British naval officer, while Robert Flemyng, who had himself served conspicuously in WWII and who was awarded the Military Cross and Order of The British Empire, takes on the role of Montagu's junior assistant, a composite role based partly on Cholmondley's real-life character. Together they must procure a body that will pass a medical examination to determine the cause of death and they must also create a personality and a past life and history for this man.
This is a true-story that avoids battle scenes and big bangs. There are no special effects. It describes a war of stealth and cunning and the cat and mouse game of espionage. It is an atmospheric suspense thriller with Stephen Boyd effective as the determined Axis agent, Patrick O'Reilly, sent in from Ireland to verify the existence and past life of this man who never was. While the soundtrack is one of Alan Rawsthorne's (The Cruel Sea) better scores, it is nevertheless immediately recognizable as one of his compositions, unfortunately sounding so much like all his others. It is ably directed by the great and sometimes under-rated Ronald Neame. It is beautifully filmed, as are all of former-cameraman Neame's pictures. The voice of Churchill is provided by the young Peter Sellers who, at that time in 1956, was establishing his versatility and making a name for himself in the BBC radio comedy, "The Goon Show".
20th Century Fox's DVD video and sound quality are excellent, as would be expected in the studio release of one of their own productions. A worthy and entertaining addition to any WWII film collection and if it gives you an appetite for a more in-depth recounting of the true story, Ewen Montagu's 1953 book is still available in both the hardback and paperback editions.
Movie Review: A dead man goes to war
Summary: 5 Stars
The true story of the British attempt to lay some heavy disinformation on the Axis in World War II. Clifton Webb plays Lt. Cmdr. Ewen Montagu, the British naval commander who is both mastermind and chief promoter of The Plan, an elaborate concoction of forged papers, misleading faux orders, a convincing back story, and a suitable corpse meant to mislead the enemy about the Allied intentions prior to the invasion of Italy. I don't suppose it's giving too much away to report that things more or less go as planned (although the suspicious Germans do send spy Stephen Boyd in to liven up the last third of the film.) Even though this is indeed a war movie, bang-bang stuff, THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS practically wallows in minute details while eschewing the firefight and the foxhole. That's not to say it doesn't have its share of situational suspense - are those depth charges going to sink the sub and scuttle the movie? - but detail is much preferred over violent action.
Along with the likes of Monty Woolley, Webb more or less cornered the market on playing stuffy, condescending Englishmen. Here Webb's strength, a stiff and rather formal persona who needs a baby-sat seven-year-old to evoke his humanity, is put to good use. There are no kids around and Webb doesn't unbend, but this movie doesn't care that much about the personal life of its characters, anyway, save for poor Gloria Grahame, who's given the rather thankless task of shedding some plot-directed tears and seems rather out of place for her troubles.
Even though it's clinical and relatively bloodless - in every sense of the word - THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS is a great deal of fun. Director Ronald Neame lovingly dwells on every step of the preparation, through to the execution of the caper, and has us deeply involved when the whole thing is threatened with the appearance of the Boyd character. THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS is a fine, thoughtful film that should appeal to those who aren't necessarily great fans of action war movies.
Movie Review: It is like watching two movies in one.
Summary: 5 Stars
The highlights of the book are here. However different people are get credit the different actions and thoughts than in the book.
The first half of the movie is about solving a problem of how to make the Germans in 1943 think that the invasion will take place in Portugal instead of in Sicily. If they can move just one gun or a troop they can save lives. The solution is described as barbaric and unique.
The second half of the movie is to keep the Germans from finding out the deception. They have gone trough elaborate efforts to manufacture a false identity for a currier. The Germans are interested if him and send in a spy (Steven Boyd) to find out his past.
One of the most telling scenes is while there are preparing the deception and are in a bunker you hear the bombs and screams that remind you of the urgency and purpose of the movie.
Clifton Webb is Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu, the person that the movie evolves around. Gloria Grahame plays Lucy Sherwood, an alleged girlfriend. The reason she shines is that they put a lot of grease on her face and it shines in the dark.
If you saw Ben-Hur then you may recognize Messala (Steven Boyd) as the spy sent to be sure that Martin is genuine.
And if you are an Agatha Christie Miss Marple fan you will see that Joan Hickson is the apartment owner.
It is a great story and well told. It makes you want to find shirts with separate collars.
Spy Who Came in from the Cold - Criterion Collection
Ben-Hur [Blu-ray]
Movie Review: Good as Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this movie as a kid when it came out. The opening is magisterial: a body washed up on a lonely Cinemascope beach at dawn, and a mature male, Scottish accented voice-over reciting the doom-laden lines:
"Last Night I dreamed a deadly dream,
That beyond the Isle of Skye,
I saw a dead man win the fight
And I think that man was I."
The scene and the words stayed with me through the years to this day. I have just watched the DVD. The movie remains taut, swift, detailed, unfussy, truly a remarkable yarn very well told and acted. No gore, no chases, no explosions, the tech is low, the methods rigorously parsed and distilled, but at the core remaining improvisatory, as one reads they were during the war. This film sees itself as having no need to impress in any way other than by having believable, life-sized characters, develop the tale efficiently and well. So refreshing, these days.
The movie hasn't aged. Seeing it as a kid led me to read the book. I don't think I will re-read it, but I can certainly envision playing the DVD again and sharing it with friends. Clifton Webb is superb in a role which illustrates what a multifaceted, wonderful actor he was. He has a way of showing brains and wisdom without calling attention to himself. The sort of behaviour one would expect from a consummate intelligence operative. Good script and top-notch acting.
Notwithstanding Cinemascope and the war-pic trappings, this is an economical, concise film which tells a gripping tale and goes by fast. But that poem and that body on the lonely beach linger in the imagination.
Movie Review: If you want to know how "real spies" work...
Summary: 5 Stars
Imagine a World War II flick with no battle scenes...a spy thriller with no special gadgets...a mystery where the dead body isn't supposed to be hidden but instead is kept visible, intact, free from decomposition...and then you have it - The Man Who Never Was.
Not only is this a true spy story...but it captures the essence of real espionage - planning, execution, then more planning, execution. Don't make a false step or you will lose. I appreciated the reality of the film...and the last half hour had me on edge as I wondered whether a German agent would learn of the deception of this ingenious British counter-intelligence operation.
For those movie fans who insist on fast action, lots of dead bodies, and great looking girls...skip this one. But if you are looking for an intelligent spy thriller that tickles your mind, this is a real winner.
As a final word, I thought Clifton Webb was terrific as a British officer. He depicted a stoic, intelligent man, a team player, a person loyal to his country, and an officer respectful of his superior commanders yet prepared to disobey if he could away with it. There are moments when the film felt more like a documentary than a quick thriller. I loved it.