Germans kidnap an American major and try to convince him that World War II is over, so that they can get details about the Allied invasion of Europe out of him.
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Title: 36 Hours (1964)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| James Garner | ... | Major Jefferson Pike | |
| Eva Marie Saint | ... | Anna Hedler | |
| Rod Taylor | ... | Major Walter Gerber | |
| Werner Peters | ... | Otto Schack | |
| John Banner | ... | Ernst | |
| Russell Thorson | ... | General Allison | |
| Alan Napier | ... | Colonel Peter MacLean | |
| Oscar Beregi Jr. | ... | Lt. Colonel Ostermann (as Oscar Beregi) | |
| Ed Gilbert | ... | Captain Abbott | |
| Sig Ruman | ... | German Guard | |
| Celia Lovsky | ... | Elsa | |
 |
Karl Held | ... | Corporal Kenter |
| Martin Kosleck | ... | Kraatz | |
| Marjorie Bennett | ... | Charwoman | |
|
|
Henry Rowland | ... | German Soldier |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
In this psychological war-drama an Army Major is captured by the Germans during World War II. They attempt to brainwash him into believing the war is over and that he is safe in an Allied hospital, so that he will divulge Allied invasion plans. Written by Patrick Dominick <p-dominick@adfa.oz.au>
Taglines:
"Give Me Any American for 36 Hours And I'll Give You Back a Traitor" See more »Parents Guide:
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Sgt. Ernst: Regular army - no. I am too old, too fat! Home guard. We are patrolling the border so then the young, strong, and handsome men can go to Russia and freeze to death. Wonderful system, huh?
[Laughs]
See more »
(uncredited)
Music by Jerry Livingston
Lyrics by Milton Drake and Al Hoffman
Sung by a vocal group on the radio
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
James Doohan: The soon-to-be "Montgomery Scott" of Star Trek: The Original Series (1966) is uncredited as a British orderly in the opening scenes. Doohan served in Canadian forces during the Normandy Invasion (which the film is about) where he lost part of a finger. Star Trek: The Next Generation: Future Imperfect (1990) and Star Trek: Enterprise: Stratagem (2004) were inspired by this film. See more »Goofs
A sign in the fake American forces hospital reads "physiotherapy". This is the British term for what Americans call "physical therapy." Major Pike is used to the British and Americans working together closely, as shown in the opening scenes, and would not see anything suspicious about this status quo continuing in the near future. Note that the cover personas of Walter Gerber and other hospital personnel seem to be British. See more »Quotes
Maj. Jefferson F. Pike: Are you really an army sergeant?Sgt. Ernst: Regular army - no. I am too old, too fat! Home guard. We are patrolling the border so then the young, strong, and handsome men can go to Russia and freeze to death. Wonderful system, huh?
[Laughs]
See more »
Alternate Versions
Also available in a computer colorized version. See more »Soundtracks
Mairzy Doats(uncredited)
Music by Jerry Livingston
Lyrics by Milton Drake and Al Hoffman
Sung by a vocal group on the radio
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
19 February 1965 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Thirty Six Hours See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
This B&W movie "36 Hours" is now being repeated on digital TV quite regularly, and I never tire of watching it. The WW II storyline, written by Roald Dahl & Carl Hittleman, is an odd one. It has to be one of the most implausible, yet somehow believable tales ever to be thought up.
A US "hospital" run by Nazi Intelligence has been set up in Germany to enable secrets to be winkled out from it's "patients" (i.e. prisoners). The gimmick is that the inmates are led to believe that the war has been over for a number of years in favour of the Allies.
The new arrival a certain Maj. Jefferson Pike (James Garner) is an Overlorder (i.e. someone who is "au fait" with the plans of the forthcoming Normandy landings). After being kidnapped in Lisbon he is brought unconscious to the hospital and given necessary ageing treatment. On regaining consciousness he is told that he is suffering from amnesia, and has been a hospital patient for years, but he must now start remembering.
A disguised Wehrmacht psychiatrist Maj. Walter Gerber (an American born German, but a good guy at heart) (Rod Taylor) is given the task of unlocking the valuable knowledge. If he fails, he and his hospital are for the chop. (And the Allies will succeed in their invasion etc. etc.) Anna Hedler, his nurse, and supposedly Pike's wife, is an ex-concentration camp internee (Eve Marie Saint) who will do anything not to be sent back. End of stage one, but will the secrets come out in stage two?...watch the movie to find out.
"36 Hours", ably directed by George Seaton, is an intriguing movie that holds the attention right to the last. It's an intelligent script, complemented by intelligent acting, with suspenseful music holding it all together. Not exactly a classic, but I certainly think it will last the test of time (and on reflection...I suppose it already has done). Personally I love it.