Conspirator (1949)

In Cold-War London, young American Melinda Greyton marries British Army Major Michael Curragh who is a Communist spy working for the Soviets.

Director:

Victor Saville

Writers:

Sally Benson (screenplay), Sally Benson (adaptation)

Stars:

Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Flemyng

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Taylor	...	Maj. Michael Curragh
Elizabeth Taylor	...	Melinda Greyton
Robert Flemyng	...	Capt. Hugh Ladholme
Harold Warrender	...	Col. Hammerbrook
Honor Blackman	...	Joyce
Marjorie Fielding	...	Aunt Jessica
Thora Hird	...	Broaders
Wilfrid Hyde-White	...	Lord Pennistone (as Wilfred Hyde-White)
Marie Ney	...	Lady Pennistone
Jack Allen	...	Raglan
Helen Haye	...	Lady Witheringham
Cicely Paget-Bowman	...	Mrs. Hammerbrook
Karel Stepanek	...	Radek
Nicholas Bruce	...	Alek
Cyril Smith	...	Detective Inspector

Storyline

On a visit to London, 18 year-old American Melinda Greyton goes to her first party, a Regimental ball. There she meets and falls madly in love with Major Michael Curragh, a handsome bachelor who returns her affections. After a relatively short period of time, they marry and all is bliss. Michael has some peculiar habits such as when he gets upset when Melinda sends an old overcoat out for cleaning or when she takes a few £1 notes from his wallet. In fact, Michael is a Communist spy and has been a member of the Party since he was in school. When Melinda finally realizes just what and who he is, she tells him to choose between her or his beliefs. He tells her he'll leave the Party but its all a ruse. He does love his wife however and when his spy masters tell him Melinda must be done away with he faces the ultimate choice.

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Plot Keywords:

post world war two | cold war | london england | soviet spy | safe house | 

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Taglines:

The Man She Loved Was A Traitor, Sworn To Kill Her!

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 March 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Traidor

Filming Locations:

Cley Windmill, North Norfolk, Norfolk, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,832,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$859,000, 31 December 1950

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,591,000, 31 December 1950

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

MGM heavily publicized this as Elizabeth Taylor's first "adult" role even though she was only 16 when the production began.

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Connections

Featured in Some of the Best: Twenty-Five Years of Motion Picture Leadership (1949)

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Soundtracks

Beyond the Clouds
(uncredited)
Music by Kenneth Essex
De Wolfe Music Ltd

User Reviews

Some things to like

I hate the word "dated", because it can only sensibly apply to a work in which the characters or plot don't reflect the era.

So, actually, what most of the internet educated IMDb users claim to be "dated" are often the only films not "dated". "Dated" means watching a movie about Wyatt Earp, and getting the feeling he has played video games instead of thinking about local events.

Here, we have a film that is definitely not dated. It deals with a handsome Communist spy who has to work his dealings around his personal life.

Robert Taylor's character is very credible, and multi dimensional. If this movie was made by one of the beavis and buttheads of today, he'd simply kill everyone who coughed when he told a lie. Yes, you're right. This would mean the world population would be zero humans within a month, and it makes no sense.

Here, in "Conspirator", he is a real person, and so is his wife, who is onto him. In dramatic style, they still want to work their relationship, and honestly, this is what people do, when they find something out about each other. Real people don't murder each other each time they find out a secret about each other.

We're shown early that the pace of the film skips over minor details, which modern writers deem so important. In one sense, some would say that "dates" this film, since it is more plot oriented, more Shakespeare than Tennessee Williams. Intricacies aren't explored as much. We're given the story line and the story, and the length of the movie allows for that.

Is it completely perfect? I don't think so. However, the characters are more credible for the time than people today can handle, so it probably isn't safe to show friends. People will have a problem with the iconoclastic attitude towards today's "everyone is a psychotic killer" philosophy.