The Two-Headed Spy (1958)

This movie is based on a true story as written in A.P. Scotland's autobiography "The London Cage". The plot has greatly exaggerated the actual events of A.P. Scotland's experiences, including the addition of a fictional love interest.

Director:

André De Toth

Writers:

J. Alvin Kugelmass (story), Michael Wilson (screenplay),

Stars:

Jack Hawkins, Gia Scala, Erik Schumann

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Hawkins	...	Gen. Alex Schottland
Gia Scala	...	Lili Geyr
Erik Schumann	...	Lt. Reinisch
Alexander Knox	...	Gestapo Leader Müller
Felix Aylmer	...	Cornaz
Walter Hudd	...	Adm. Canaris
Edward Underdown	...	Kaltenbrunner
Laurence Naismith	...	Gen. Hauser
Geoffrey Bayldon	...	Dietz
Kenneth Griffith	...	Adolf Hitler
Robert Crewdson	...	1st Gestapo Agent
Michael Caine	...	Gestapo Agent
Harriette Johns	...	Karen Corscher
Martin Benson	...	Gen. Wagner
Victor Woolf	...	Pawnbroker

Storyline

World War II spy thriller supposedly based on true story. British secret agent successfully infiltrates Nazi military, achieves rank of general during WWII. He gains full confidence of entire Nazi high command, including Fuhrer Adolf Hitler himself, save one suspecting German officer. All the while the spy passes war-winning information to Allies assisted by two loyal Berlin contacts, first a man then a nightclub singer. A war drama with love-interest relationship and a cliffhanger finale. Also memorable is frightening Adolf Hitler always portrayed from behind, face unseen but with snarling, tyrannical voice.

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Plot Keywords:

hitler | spy | nazi | german | singer | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | War

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 February 1959 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Chef de réseau

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sabre Film Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Denis Gifford in his article "Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler?" from the film history tome 'The Movie', this film was the first British film made after World War II to feature Adolph Hitler as a character.

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Goofs

Several transitional scenes (staff car traveling on the autobahn, refugees streaming through Berlin) are used more than once.

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Soundtracks

"Only One For Me"
Written by Peter Hart

User Reviews

Anachronism: Tape Recorder

In one scene Gestapo agents are shown recording a telephone call. Unfortunately, they are using a tape recorder (as opposed to a metal wire one). Tape recording did not exist until 1947, well after the movie's time.

Before that, as seen in movies like "Walk a Crooked Mile," agents used a shellac disk or, later on, a wire recorder which had as its medium a metal wire. Another option was the Dictaphone which used a wax cylinder similar to the early Edison recording.

In the 1950's two-track recording was born and in the 1960's 4-track. I know this is incredibly boring but there is a minimum length for submitting comments.