The Tenth Man (1988)

Based on the novel by Graham Greene, this is a story of a French advocate Chavel who, while imprisoned by the Germans during the occupation, trades his material possessions to another ... See full summary »

Director:

Jack Gold

Writers:

Graham Greene (novel), Lee Langley (teleplay)

Stars:

Anthony Hopkins, Kristin Scott Thomas, Derek Jacobi

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Hopkins	...	Jean Louis Chavel
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Therese Mangeot
Derek Jacobi	...	The Imposter
Cyril Cusack	...	The Priest
Brenda Bruce	...	Madame Mangeot (Michel and Therese's mother)
Timothy Watson	...	Michel Mangeot
Paul Rogers	...	Breton
Peter Jonfield	...	Roche
Geoffrey Bayldon	...	Elderly Clerk
Michael Attwell	...	Krogh
Jim Carter	...	Pierre
Robert Morgan	...	German Officer
Patrice Valota	...	Voisin
John Bennett	...	Jules
Alan Rossett	...	Prisoner No. 3

Storyline

Based on the novel by Graham Greene, this is a story of a French advocate Chavel who, while imprisoned by the Germans during the occupation, trades his material possessions to another prisoner in exchange for his life when condemned to the firing squad. At the end of the war, Chavel, posing as one of the other prisoners, returns to his house, which is now occupied by Therese, the sister of the prisoner, to whom he traded his possessions, and who bitterly awaits the return of the man who had indirectly caused the death of her brother. His real identity unknown to Therese, Chavel is invited to stay as a caretaker, and to identify Chavel should he return to the house. The relationship between Chavel and Therese develops until one night, someone calling himself Chavel turns up at their doorstep.

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Plot Keywords:

identity | firing squad | french | death | guilt | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Tenth Man (#38.1)

Filming Locations:

France

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS Entertainment Production, Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, MGM Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Graham Greene wrote this when he joined MGM as a contract scriptwriter in 1944. It sat in their archives until it was discovered in the early 1980s, and was originally intended to be a major cinema release.

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Goofs

Although both French and German characters speak British English, at the end of lunch in a restaurant Chavel (played by Anthony Hopkins) asks the waiter for the 'check'. The word is unknown in the UK.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Jean Louis Chavel: Therese, the hated, is it all gone?
Therese Mangeot: [tearfully yes]
Jean Louis Chavel: That's good. That's good, Therese. Good, Therese. You'll be alright now.

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Connections

Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

User Reviews

Superb, unjustly neglected gem

In the late 1980s, I had just seen Anthony Hopkins in "The Bounty," which together with the earlier "Magic" convinced me he was an actor to watch for; and I had read Graham Greene's recently unearthed little novel "The Tenth Man," when I heard about this TV adaptation. My excited anticipation was not disappointed, and since then I have probably seen this little gem 25 times, often screening it for high school students, who watch in rapt fascination. The plot is amazing -- as only GG could concoct -- and I am still convinced this is Hopkins's best performance. Also superb are Kristin Scott Thomas, Derek Jacobi, Cyril Cusack and Brenda Bruce. Production values are strong if not stellar (after all, it's made for TV). Too bad this film is all but unavailable -- you'll have to buy a used VHS online if you want to see it; but you won't be sorry.