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IMDbPro

The Man Who Never Was

  • 19561956
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
The Man Who Never Was (1956)
In order to fool the Germans into thinking the Allied invasion of Sicily will take place elsewhere, British Military Intelligence comes up with a cunning ruse.
Play trailer1:36
1 Video
44 Photos
  • Drama
  • War
In order to fool the Germans into thinking the Allied invasion of Sicily will take place elsewhere, British Military Intelligence comes up with a cunning ruse.In order to fool the Germans into thinking the Allied invasion of Sicily will take place elsewhere, British Military Intelligence comes up with a cunning ruse.In order to fool the Germans into thinking the Allied invasion of Sicily will take place elsewhere, British Military Intelligence comes up with a cunning ruse.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Ronald Neame
  • Writers
    • Nigel Balchin(screenplay by)
    • Ewen Montagu(from the book by)
  • Stars
    • Clifton Webb
    • Gloria Grahame
    • Robert Flemyng
Top credits
  • Director
    • Ronald Neame
  • Writers
    • Nigel Balchin(screenplay by)
    • Ewen Montagu(from the book by)
  • Stars
    • Clifton Webb
    • Gloria Grahame
    • Robert Flemyng
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 82User reviews
    • 14Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 2 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:36
    Trailer

    Photos44

    Gloria Grahame and Clifton Webb in The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    Clifton Webb in The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    Clifton Webb in The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    The Man Who Never Was (1956)
    Allan Cuthbertson and Ewen Montagu in The Man Who Never Was (1956)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Clifton Webb
    Clifton Webb
    • Lt. Cmdr. Ewen Montaguas Lt. Cmdr. Ewen Montagu
    Gloria Grahame
    Gloria Grahame
    • Lucy Sherwoodas Lucy Sherwood
    Robert Flemyng
    Robert Flemyng
    • Lt. George Acresas Lt. George Acres
    Josephine Griffin
    Josephine Griffin
    • Pamas Pam
    Stephen Boyd
    Stephen Boyd
    • Patrick O'Reillyas Patrick O'Reilly
    Laurence Naismith
    Laurence Naismith
    • Adm. Crossas Adm. Cross
    Geoffrey Keen
    Geoffrey Keen
    • Gen. Nyeas Gen. Nye
    Moultrie Kelsall
    Moultrie Kelsall
    • The Fatheras The Father
    Cyril Cusack
    Cyril Cusack
    • Taxi Driveras Taxi Driver
    André Morell
    André Morell
    • Sir Bernard Spilsburyas Sir Bernard Spilsbury
    Michael Hordern
    Michael Hordern
    • Gen. Cockburnas Gen. Cockburn
    Allan Cuthbertson
    Allan Cuthbertson
    • Vice-Admiralas Vice-Admiral
    Joan Hickson
    Joan Hickson
    • Landladyas Landlady
    Terence Longdon
    Terence Longdon
    • Larryas Larry
    • (as Terence Longden)
    Gibb McLaughlin
    Gibb McLaughlin
    • Club Porteras Club Porter
    Miles Malleson
    Miles Malleson
    • Scientistas Scientist
    William Russell
    William Russell
    • Joeas Joe
    William Squire
    William Squire
    • Lt. Jewellas Lt. Jewell
    • Director
      • Ronald Neame
    • Writers
      • Nigel Balchin(screenplay by)
      • Ewen Montagu(from the book by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In this movie, Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu (Clifton Webb) selects a man who had died of pneumonia, because the corpse would need to have similarly damaged lungs if it had really drowned. There is also a very emotional scene where the man's father is persuaded to allow his son to be used for the deception. In fact, a Welsh vagrant, both of whose parents were dead, was used, and his death was due to his committing suicide by ingesting rat poison. It was judged to make it almost impossible to tell that this, rather than drowning, was the real cause of death. The identity of "the man who never was" was a closely guarded secret until 1998, when it was discovered that he was called Glyndwr Michael. His grave in Huelva, Spain (near the beach at Punta Umbria) now uniquely carries both his fictional and real names.
    • Goofs
      The British submarine that releases the corpse of "Major Martin" is completely dry immediately after it surfaces from the ocean depths.
    • Quotes

      [the military needs a dead body for counterintelligence]

      Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu: I can assure you that this is an opportunity for your son to do a great thing for England.

      The Father: My son, sir, was a Scotsman. Very proud of it.

      Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu: I beg your pardon.

      The Father: Never mind. We're used to that. You English always talk about England when you mean Britain.

    • Crazy credits
      Military security and respect for a solemn promise have made it necessary to disguise the identity of some of the characters in this film; but in all other essentials this is the true story of "Major William Martin."
    • Connections
      Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!: Episode #1.16 (1983)
    • Soundtracks
      Bless 'em All
      (uncredited)

      Written by Fred Godfrey (1917)

      Revised lyrics by Jimmy Hughes and Frank Lake (1940)

      Additional lyrics by Al Stillman (1941)

      Sung by the patrons of pub

    User reviews82

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Fascinating Sleeper!
    While I am old enough to have seen many of Clifton Webb's movies, I had never heard of this one. We found it in a video store display. i am delighted to have bought it. The story was streamlined, and well told. No wasted or unnecessary subplots. It was much more intrigue than a usual war movie, and clearly a suspenseful tale. The fact that it is true, only adds to the enjoyment. In spite of it's age, it holds up well. The acting is quite sincere and believable. Gloria Grahame is in one of her best roles. The English cast was mostly unfamiliar, but well chosen. Great and moving ending. I would put as a must see for any WWII or history buff. Most women will sympathize, and not too gory or bloody. But still will appeal to men for the suspense.
    helpful•29
    1
    • ka9fdv
    • Jan 29, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 23, 1956 (Canada)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Spanish
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • Der Mann, den es nie gab
    • Filming locations
      • Huelva, Andalucía, Spain
    • Production company
      • Sumar Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.55 : 1

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