Decision Before Dawn (1951) 7.4
As the US Army approaches Nazi Germany, they recruit German prisoners to spy behind German lines. Director:Anatole Litvak |
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Decision Before Dawn (1951) 7.4
As the US Army approaches Nazi Germany, they recruit German prisoners to spy behind German lines. Director:Anatole Litvak |
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Richard Basehart | ... |
Lt. Dick Rennick
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| Gary Merrill | ... |
Col. Devlin
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| Oskar Werner | ... |
Cpl. Karl Maurer aka Happy
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Hildegard Knef | ... |
Hilde
(as Hildegarde Neff)
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Dominique Blanchar | ... |
Monique
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O.E. Hasse | ... |
Col. Von Ecker
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Wilfried Seyferth | ... |
Heinz Scholtz - SS Man
(as Wilfried Seyfert)
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Hans Christian Blech | ... |
Sgt. Rudolf Barth aka Tiger
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Helene Thimig | ... |
Fräulein Paula Schneider
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Robert Freitag | ... |
Sgt. Paul Richter
(as Robert Freytag)
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George Tyne | ... |
Sgt. Griffin
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C.A. Amos | ... |
Himself
(as C.A. Amos 1st Lt. USAF)
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Harold Benedict | ... |
Himself
(as H.L. Benedict S/Sgt. USAF)
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H.W. Briggs | ... |
Himself
(as H.W. Briggs Sgt. USA)
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D.G. Devine | ... |
Himself
(as D.G. Devine Cpl. USAF)
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WWII is entering its last phase: Germany is in ruins, but does not yield. The US army lacks crucial knowledge about the German units operating on the opposite side of the Rhine, and decides to send two German prisoners to gather information. The scheme is risky: the Gestapo retains a terribly efficient network to identify and capture spies and deserters. Moreover, it is not clear that "Tiger", who does not mind any dirty work as long as the price is right, and war-weary "Happy", who might be easily betrayed by his feelings, are dependable agents. After Tiger and another American agent are successfully infiltrated, Happy is parachuted in Bavaria. His duty: find out the whereabouts of a powerful German armored unit moving towards the western front. Written by Eduardo Casais <eduardo.casais@research.nokia.com>
I saw this movie recently on AMC, and was extremely impressed. It was filmed on location only a few years after the end of the war, and uses the bombed-out scenery to brilliant advantage. I agree with all of the previous comments, and wonder why this film is not available on DVD or video. I was so intrigued by the story that I found a copy of the book on which it was based over the internet, "Call it Treason" by George Howe. I just finished it, and I enthusiastically recommend the book,it's worth searching for (out of print.) I wish there were more books and movies like this around....