The Great Manhunt (1950)

In post-WW2 Europe, when the dictator of a small police state dies during surgery, the operating surgeon, who's a visiting American doctor, is held captive in order to preserve the terrible state secret.

Director:

Sidney Gilliat

Writers:

Roy Huggins (novel), Sidney Gilliat (screenplay)

Stars:

Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Glynis Johns, Jack Hawkins

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.	...	Dr. John Marlowe
Jack Hawkins	...	Colonel Galcon
Glynis Johns	...	Lisa Robinson
Walter Rilla	...	General Niva
Karel Stepanek	...	Dr. Revo
Herbert Lom	...	Karl Theodor
Hans Olaf Moser	...	Sigrist (as Hans Moser)
Guido Lorraine	...	Lieutenant Prachi
Robert Ayres	...	Arthur J. Buckman
Howard Douglas	...	Clubman
Martin Boddey	...	Clubman
Russell Waters	...	Clubman
Arthur Howard	...	Clubman
Carl Jaffe	...	Janovic Prada / Tugboat Captain
Gerard Heinz	...	Tomasi Bendel

Storyline

Visiting in England, famed American surgeon Doctor John Marlowe is decoyed to a middle European country, and discovers the operation he is to perform is on the Vosnian dictator. When the latter dies, he is replaced by a look-alike, but Marlowe is the object of a shoot-to-kill, vicious pursuit by the secret police of Vosnia since it is vital to Vosnia that the dictator's death does not become known. Fleeing, he seeks help from an English-speaking actress, Lisa Robinson, and the two are harried across the countryside before being captured. (Produced by the British team of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat "in association with London Films" and released in the U.S. by Columbia Pictures Corporation.)

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Plot Keywords:

operation | telegram | billiards | car chase | barber | 

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Taglines:

In all the world's capital's they wonder...and wait for...The Secret this man knows!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 September 1950 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Great Manhunt

Filming Locations:

Dolomites, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is set in the mythical country of "Vosnia", which, according to director Sidney Gilliat, was meant to suggest either Spain (to left-wingers) or what was then Yugoslavia (to right-wingers). A special "Vosnian" language was devised for the film by Georgina Shield, a teacher at the London School of Languages, and several of the actors took lessons in how to speak it over a period of several days, as it is extensively heard in the film.

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Goofs

At the 'river docks', a London bus is visible in the background passing over the bridge. The stern of the 'barge' shown is also very clearly that of an English narrowboat, found nowhere on the Continent.

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Quotes

Lisa Robinson: [Last Line] I think I'm going to be sick.

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Connections

Referenced in Beyond Recognition (2003)

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Soundtracks

Paper Doll
(uncredited)
Written by Johnny Black

User Reviews

Move over Hitch this is overtaking you!

When you see films of the caliber of 'State Secret' it makes you ask how the industry can 'loose' them for so long between the rare screenings! The credits for this near forgotten classic are masterful. Produced and Directed by the talented team of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat (Hitchcock collaborators from way back) this has style that puts some of Hitch's films to shame. Gilliat also adapted the screenplay from prolific writer: Roy Huggins novel. The film moves along at a cracking pace, with a chase across many varied landscapes...night journeys on river barges, over deadly Mountain ranges, through city streets, etc.

The Director of Photography is none other than Award winner Robert Krasker ('The Third Man' - 'El Cid', etc) and assisting him is future feature Director: Guy Green ('James Bond' - 'Remo', etc) The look these professionals create together is first class. If you enjoy fast moving suspense dramas, tinged with wry touches of humour this could be waiting for you to discover (or re-visit)

Cast wise: Douglas Fairbanks Jr is surprisingly good in a mature roll of famous Surgon, framed by foreign agents to perform operation on 'mystery man' with dynamite results! In an early role, the astonishingly 'cute' Glynis Johns is marvelous. Herbert Lom is used to excellent effect as an international con man drawn into a dangerous liaison with the escaping duo. Jack Hawkins, as usual, is totally convincing as the menacing political manipulator. This film journey is filled with creative touches throughout. Find it on DVD (if you can) otherwise scour the TV Guide and don't miss it.

Gem Digital TV in Australia somehow dug it out of the vaults (they probably inherited it in a package deal without being aware what they had - this often happens) then screened it as one of their Sunday afternoon movies. As usual, they presented it in their throw-away, semi-unprofessional manor, with the way too LARGE, lolly 'PINK' station Logo running over the stylish B/W photography. Then proceeded to pepper it with gaudy colour 'pop up' adds, for shows that the audience for this style of movie won't watch in a pink fit! Don't they know...has no one taught them?

While at least they had a superbly re-mastered print with clear image and good contrast, they then ran the sound track through an 'auto level controller' (A.L.C.) so that during the films quieter moments the ALC unit goes off looking for sound that's not even there, leaving the viewer to suffer 'Hiss and Background noise' till someone speaks again. Pitiful. Oh well, at least they did screen it! Bless their little hearts!