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Orders to Kill (1958)

| Drama, War | 1958 (UK)
Orders to Kill Poster
American agent faces an engrossing moral dilemma when he is parachuted into France to eliminate a suspected traitor in the French Resistance.

Director:

Writers:

(original story) (as Donald C. Downes), (adapted for the screen by) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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Won 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 4 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Major MacMahon
Paul Massie ... Gene Summers
... Mrs. Summers
... Naval Commander
Leslie French ... Lafitte
... Léonie
... Kimball
... Interrogator
... Lecturer Lieutenant
... Blonde with German Officer
Jacques B. Brunius ... Cmndt. Morand (as Jacques Brunius)
Robert Henderson ... Col. Snyder
Miki Iveria ... Louise
Lillie Bea Gifford ... Mauricette (as Lillabea Gifford)
... Mme. Lafitte
See full cast »
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Storyline

American agent faces an engrossing moral dilemma when he is parachuted into France to eliminate a suspected traitor in the French Resistance.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

french resistance | cat | shame | guilt | cover up | See All (12) »

Taglines:

A chilling cinematic thriller

Genres:

Drama | War

Certificate:

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Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

| |

Release Date:

1958 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

Befehl zum töten  »

Filming Locations:

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.75: 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Eddie Albert's part in this film (as a US Air Force major) is one of several military roles he played in his earlier career. These were satirised in 'Green Acres', when it is explained that Oliver served as US pilot in WWII and was shot down over Hungary, where he was rescued by his future wife Lisa. See more »

Goofs

The psychiatrist eye glass frames have no lenses in them. See more »

Crazy Credits

The central story on which this film is based is true (before opening credits begin). See more »

Connections

Referenced in John le Carré (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

Cadet Rousselle
(traditional)
See more »

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User Reviews

 
A soldier is sent to France to kill a Nazi sympathizer
19 August 2012 | by – See all my reviews

Paul Massie, Eddie Albert, Leslie French, and Irene Worth star in "Orders to Kill," a 1958 film produced and directed by Anthony Asquith.

Done in a low-key, realistic way, the story concerns a young American soldier, Gene Summers (Massie) who is chosen to go to France to kill an attorney who was a Resistance member, Lafitte (French) but has become a traitor. For Summers, it's an exciting assignment, and he relishes learning his new identity and being taught to kill either with his bare hands or by knife. One of the men in charge of his training, Major MacMahon (Albert) is afraid the ramifications of the job aren't real enough for him, but off he goes. His contact in France is Leonie (Irene Worth).

All goes well until Summers actually meets LaFitte, who saves him from a Nazi roundup by hiding him in his office. When he sees that Lafitte seems like a gentle soul, he can't kill him. Then he meets LaFitte's daughter and wife. He appeals to Leonie -- maybe this man is innocent, maybe a further investigation is warranted. Leonie is a hard-nose and insists that he carry out his orders.

Talky and slow-moving through a good deal of the film, it changes suddenly and becomes very suspenseful and exciting. Everyone underplays, making them somehow more realistic in their war-torn surroundings.

Everyone is very good, but Irene Worth, a fantastic actress, Leslie French, and Eddie Albert are standouts. The workhorse role is Massie's, and he is very good in a role that required him to be extremely natural and even throughout.

Very good.
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