Triple Cross (1966)

Loosely based on a true story, Christopher Plummer plays British bank robber Eddie Chapman who finds himself caught between the waring parties in WW2, the British and the Germans. working ... See full summary »

Director:

Terence Young

Writers:

René Hardy (screenplay), Frank Owen (book),

Stars:

Christopher Plummer, Romy Schneider, Trevor Howard

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Plummer	...	Eddie Chapman
Romy Schneider	...	The Countess (Helga Lindstrom)
Trevor Howard	...	Distinguished Civilian (Freddie Young)
Gert Fröbe	...	Colonel Steinhager (as Gert Frobe)
Claudine Auger	...	Paulette
Yul Brynner	...	Baron Von Grunen
Georges Lycan	...	Leo
Jess Hahn	...	Commander Braid
Harry Meyen	...	Lieutenant Keller
Gil Barber	...	Bergman
Jean-Claude Bercq	...	Major Von Leeb
Jean Claudio	...	Sergeant Thomas
Robert Favart	...	General Dalrymple
Bernard Fresson	...	French Resistant (Raymond)
Clément Harari	...	Losch (as Clement Harari)

Storyline

Loosely based on a true story, Christopher Plummer plays British bank robber Eddie Chapman who finds himself caught between the waring parties in WW2, the British and the Germans. working as a spy for both sides he tries to play the 3rd reich and the British against each other. the real life Chapman described himself as a completely 'amoral' person, which adds a nice philisophical touch to this somewhat colourful spy-flic. Is there any moral in making war ? Even if you're the 'good' fighting 'evil' ?

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Plot Keywords:

baron | prison | spy | safecracker | mock execution | 

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Taglines:

MASTER-CRIMINAL! SUPER-SPY! AND ALL TRUE!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | War | Thriller | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language, violence and sensuality

Details

Country:

France UK

Language:

English French German Portuguese

Release Date:

9 December 1966 (France)

Also Known As:

Agli ordini del fuhrer e al servizio di sua maestà

Filming Locations:

Studios de la Victorine - 16 avenue Edoard Grinda, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineurop

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min 126 min (edited)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While the movie ending implies that Baron Von Grunen (Yul Brynner) dies after being shot in the back (or allows the viewer to infer such), actually Chapman and Von Grunen remained friends after the war. Von Grunen even attended the wedding of Chapman's daughter.

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Goofs

During the multi-service conference where the Germans were trying to decide what Eddie's next mission should be, Baron Von Grunen reads an intelligence bulletin referring to reports of an army being formed in the Portsmouth area, "possibly to be commanded by General Patton". The Colonel General then comments "Identify this US Third Army...". In actuality the fake army Patton was supposed to be commanding was widely known as The First US Army Group (FUSAG) and was part of the disinformation campaign known as Operation Fortitude and was designed to make the Germans think the invasion would be at Calais. The Third Army wasn't a part of WWII combat operations until after the Normandy breakout when Patton assumed command.

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Quotes

Countess: [studying Chapman's criminal file] Facing 14 years further imprisonment. That interests me. For what we have in mind, I think he has possibilities.
Eddie Chapman: And for what *I* have in mind, *you* have possibilities...

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Connections

Referenced in Terence Young: Bond Vivant (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Triple Cross"
Written by 'Georges Garvarentz' (qv ) and Buddy Kaye
Performed by Tony Allan

User Reviews

Aircraft ID for Zipper69

Quite right, it is definitely not a German plane. The aircraft is a 1946 French SNCAC Martinet.

This was enjoyable to watch on a quiet evening at home. It was particularly interesting for me because I knew nothing of Edward Chapman's charmed life and wartime exploits so now I would like to know more about him and I'll be tempted to read up a bit and do some research about him.

The film was well made with good production values and direction. My complaint is with the editing which was off kilter at times. The story line was abrupt and frequently resulted in too many fast changes. For instance we needed to see how Edward Chapman got passage on the vessel to Lisbon.