During the Cold War, an American soldier is abducted in West Berlin, sparking a recovery effort led by Colonel Steve Van Dyke.During the Cold War, an American soldier is abducted in West Berlin, sparking a recovery effort led by Colonel Steve Van Dyke.During the Cold War, an American soldier is abducted in West Berlin, sparking a recovery effort led by Colonel Steve Van Dyke.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total
- Frederick S. Hobart
- (as Casey Adams)
- World Series Game Radio Announcer
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
- Driver
- (uncredited)
- Undetermined Secondary Role
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe fight between Gregory Peck and Broderick Crawford was filmed in one take.
- GoofsWhen Van Dyke hands Hoffy the poisoned drink, he is grasping the top of the glass. The scene cuts to a different view, and Van Dyke is grasping the bottom of the glass.
- Quotes
Col. Steve Van Dyke: [alone together in a hospital room] Well?
Frederick S. Hobart: I want to know what you're up to Steve.
Col. Steve Van Dyke: Why?
Frederick S. Hobart: I don't care what you think of that government over there, you can't make any kind of a crooked deal with it.
Col. Steve Van Dyke: Who's dealin' with any government?
Frederick S. Hobart: Aren't you?
Col. Steve Van Dyke: Now look Freddy, we asked them over there about Corporal Leatherby, didn't we?
Frederick S. Hobart: Yes.
Col. Steve Van Dyke: So what did they say?
Frederick S. Hobart: That they'd never heard of him, of course.
Col. Steve Van Dyke: So alright, how could I be makin' a deal with a government that never heard of him?
Frederick S. Hobart: You know very well that that's only their way of doing things.
Col. Steve Van Dyke: Not in my book. If a big, friendly power like the Russians tells they never heard of Corporal Leatherby, that's good enough for me. Now will you run along n' let me get on with this job?
Frederick S. Hobart: Then whom are you dealing with?
Col. Steve Van Dyke: Now look Freddy, for Pete's sake, don't you think the Russians like a little private enterprise as well as anybody else? As far as I'm concerned, I'm dealin' with a small group of progressive businessmen over there - what I think you Americans call a mob. Now is there anything wrong with that?
[a knock at the door disrupts their conversation]
- Crazy creditsFor the first time ever, the CinemaScope logo ("Twentieth Century-Fox presents A CinemaScope Production") is not shown until about five minutes into the film, after the opening sequence.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Gregory Peck: An Actor's Craft (2017)
- SoundtracksThe Stars and Stripes Forever
(uncredited)
Music by John Philip Sousa
Played during the military review at the beginning
The plot is very, very complex. Even if you pay full attention to every word and every character nuance, you'll probably still be unprepared for the twists and turns of Nunnally Johnson's subtle and complex story.
On this topic, you'll note some reviews criticising the plot for weaknesses. Not So. It is a foolhardy reviewer who goes up against a Nunnally Johnson script! To elaborate I'd have to spoil. Suffice it to say that this story is a wild horse - and you'll have one heck of a job staying on its back as it bucks, twists and cavorts.
Worth seeing - has to be seen, some might say - more than once!
- john-harry-adams
- Oct 19, 2014
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,250,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.55 : 1