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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Taglines:

The British Master Spy Who Became Hitler's Favourite General !

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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

When Gen. Schottland is in the forest trying to radio the allies, he is confronted by a soldier carrying a British Sten submachine gun. In the next scene it is revealed to be a German soldier and now he is carrying a German MP-40 submachine gun. In the next scene it switches back to a Sten.

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Soundtracks

"Only One For Me"
Written by Peter Hart

User Reviews

Heroes in the shadow.

Andre De Toth,who 's famous for directing mainly westerns ,pays here a tribute to men and women who work in the shadow,at their own risk:Jack Hawkins portrays a German officer ,who secretly refuses the nazi ideology and who passes on military informations to the Allies.He is helped by a courageous singer,played by beautiful Gia Scala -who would be the traitor in "Guns of Navarone" (1960),and who died in the late sixties of overdose.

Andre De Toth wanted to show the facts and nothing but the facts.So,no psychology here.His choice leaves the spectator hungry for more:why

this officer who fought during WW1 and suffered supreme insult of defeat, why should he join the other side?

The movie is absorbing,with a very competent cast,some funny scenes (the aide-de-camp who believes he's found evidence against his chief,while listening to Hawkins/Scala 's conversation and is called peeping tom by a superior),some suspenseful ones influenced by Lang and Hitchcock(the car got bogged down).

Outside the westerns,do not miss De Toth's "house of wax".