36 Hours (1964)

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.

Director:

George Seaton

Writers:

George Seaton (screen play by), Roald Dahl (based on "Beware of the Dog" by)

Stars:

James Garner, Eva Marie Saint, Rod Taylor

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

charade | pretense | sham | hospital | d day | 

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Taglines:

The Wildest Spy Adventure A Man Ever Lived!

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Genres:

Thriller | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The writing credits not only claim Roald Dahl's short story, "Beware Of The Dog", as the source of the plot, but also an original film story by Luis Vance and Carl K. Hittleman. It has been suggested that MGM bought the Vance-Hittleman plot whilst unaware of the Dahl story, also unknown to the writers and director George Seaton. However, when the script was coincidentally offered to Dahl's wife, Patricia Neal, she spotted the resemblance straight away and brought it to her husband's attention. (She turned down the female lead, which went to Eva Marie Saint). MGM was required to pay a large sum for the film rights of Dahl's very brief story to avoid a lawsuit.

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Goofs

The phony newspaper which Pike is given on arrival in hospital, has a front page item about the UN. Although the United Nations first opened in 1945, the name comes from January 1942, when Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation outlining the basic set-up and goals for such an organization. This is all that the Nazis would have needed to make this phony report.

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Quotes

Maj. Walter Gerber: But it was a foolish thing, Anna. The cyanide, I mean. That was clumsy; intentionally clumsy. I think down deep you wanted to be caught.
Anna Hedler, Nurse: Why?
Maj. Walter Gerber: Guilt cries out for punishment. Punishment is a specific cure for a feverish conscience.
Anna Hedler, Nurse: Is that the only cure?
Maj. Walter Gerber: No. Very often understanding and forgiveness can produce the same result. I hope you find it.

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: Voyager: Projections (1995)

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Soundtracks

March: News of the Day
(uncredited)
Music by John Rochetti

User Reviews

The Opening MUSIC Is the Tip off to this film's QUALITY

If you really listen to the very first moments of the opening music, and if you know something of music, then you'll immediately recognize that the Composer (Dmitri Tiomkin ) was not messing around with THIS score. Tiomkin wrote a beautifully impending theme, internally driven, colored with adventure, suspended by taught phrases, and completely in line, and easily telling, of the quality of everything about this movie. ( My thought was that if Tiomkin wasn't messing around, no one else would be messing around either. This movie HAS IT ALL. )

When I heard those first opening passages, especially the quiet and complex timpani part, then I knew I was in for a really OUTSTANDING FILM. So, right then, I put off an important meeting, because I felt the movie would be as good as the music score. If you encounter this movie, put off anything else, except medical emergencies, and WATCH THIS MOVIE. ! !

Life's too short to miss this one, so watch it - NOW ! Yes, NOW !

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Portuguese French

Release Date:

19 February 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Thirty Six Hours

Filming Locations:

Lisbon, Portugal

Company Credits

Production Co:

Perlberg-Seaton Productions, Cherokee Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1