Danielle Darrieux5 Fingers

The plot has already been gone over in the other reviews in detail, so I won't discuss all of the details other to say that the story is even more incredible because it is true.I'd like to talk about the performances. James Mason is superb and this ranks as one of his best-ever performances in a long and distinguished career. He uses his best attributes, i.e. his cultivated British accent and mannerisms, to great effect here and it is wonderful to watch. His cleverness is also both wonderful to see and almost impossible to believe his character got away with for so long, which in life this man Diello actually did. The Nazis let their arrogance become stupidity and their eventual downfall, which is a blessing and a lot of fun to watch as they tramp out their arrogance for all to see.Towards the second half of the film comes another classy Englishman, Michael Rennie, as an agent sent by the British to try to weed out the spy they now know is somewhere in their midst in Turkey. Rennie becomes more and more sure that Diello is the man, and their eventual near-confrontation, with the Nazis on Diello's tail, is a fascinating dance and a tribute to both of these actors. Rennie is so often overlooked but he was one of England's best character actors, as was Mason, and he plays this plum of a supporting role beautifully. They were both transplanted Yorkshiremen and extremely talented, and this film does them both proud.In short, this is a fine, fine film with great acting by both lead and supporting actors and well worth a look, especially if you enjoy true stories about espionage or are a fan of either or both of these actors. Great movie!

This is the film version of a book which reported the activities how hundreds of British documents including THE INVASION OF NORMANDY were stolen by the valet (James Mason) to the British ambassador to Turkey during WW2. Even though the British government was aware of the thefts they could not find the culprit. "Operation Cicero" was created to uncover this thief (spy) who was passing the most sensitive information to the Germans . This valet did not seem to favor either power. Since he had the opportunity to sell for extremely large sums of money the documents in his employers possession he did not hesitate to take advantage of his position. He was a person without any feeling towards either side.It seemed to be only about the money. In the film the valet comes off very British but in actuality he was from an eastern european country. However, Mason played the gentlemans gentleman to the hilt as only he could with his charm and mannerisms. When dealing with his german contacts another person emerged confident and at times even ruthless. It is a great performance by James Mason and cast . A great and frightening story that such things happened and as we know from our own history have happened in our recent past.

I just want to add a comment to the only two reviews [ Canada and Connecticut] I have read. It's maybe not the best Mankiewicz [ I would vote for "Sleuth"], maybe not the best James Mason, but what is appalling in the reviews is that people talk about a talented thief operating in foreign embassy. God! You've never heard of the German spy whose code name was Cicero? This man has really existed, and the movie makes an accurate summary of his life. A thief! Sorry, it is not Cary Grant in "How to catch a thief". It is a real story. Maybe one day you'll come to believe that Anna Frank used to be a talented "foreign" writer only known for her diary. Sad. America won WWII, please educate yourself with "Trial at Nuremberg", "The Odessa File" and this very good movie about Cicero the spy.

Inasmuch as any print of this immortal film would have been over sixty years old, the quality of the resultant dvd is about as good as can be expected. My main complaint is there are no English subtitles, in fact none in any western language. There are only subtitles, added on, in Korean **Hangol**. But these are only occasionally necessary. Back then, actors didn't mumble or affect speech impediments. Even the foreign actors can be understood in every syllable.

Based on a true story, this movie is one of the best spy thrillers I've ever seen. The screen play is written with such intelligence and absolute wit that it keeps you at the edge of your seat from the moment it beings until the very last surprising, yet satisfying, second of the movie. James Mason's performance in nothing short of brilliant. His charm is utterly captivating. His lines in this movie are totally unforgettable, as are the lines of Danielle Darrieux who told a German officer "Please don't look at me as if you have more than your salary to live on". This is also a story that makes you reflect on the difference between good and bad leadership and how even the best information or knowledge in the hands of "juvenile delinquents" (as someone called them in the movie) can be useless.

James Mason is a terrific actor and he is excellent in this film... My my a good spy story is the BEST ...

I bought this film because I like Michael Rennie - then I found out he was in WWII and this was an important story - The character of the servant (James Mason) who steels top secret information and sells the photographs to the Germans, does this for money only - He has no philosophical reason - just for money - He starts to take himself too seriously and is loosing on many levels, but doesn't know it. The serious, but relaxed performance by Michael Rennie balances with the over-confident James Mason. When watching this, I became the one who was tense or afraid - or even shocked - So I think this film is good story telling. For a serious war, there seem to be alot of shallow people.

A little known spy thriller set in Turkey during World War 2 which builds considerable suspense in its leisurely way. James Mason is suave and cold-blooded as the ambitious valet/spy. Quite a performance! Based on a true story. Shot largely on location and featuring a swell Bernard Herrmann score. As with most films from this director, the script and dialogue are first rate.

Enjoyed immensely.

Very good film with one proviso; the entirely fictitious creation of the countess was entirely un-necessary. Very few movies have so much suspense.

Very good spy-type film with a good plot and superior acting by James Mason (as usual).

Based on a true story. In 1944 neutral Turkey, the valet (James Mason) to the British ambassador (Walter Hampden) is selling secret documents to the Germans for large sums of money. But the Germans are suspicious about the accuracy of the documents, suspecting he might be a British plant. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz from a screenplay by Michael Wilson (based on the book OPERATION CICERO), this is a well crafted spy thriller. The film eschews action pieces and heroics instead concentrating on the meticulous day to day existence of an ordinary man taking extraordinary steps. Still, one wishes Mankiewicz could have tossed in at least one thrill or two. Mason gives an impeccable performance. The insistent score is by Bernard Herrmann. With Danielle Darrieux as an impoverished Polish countess who uses Mason to her own end, Michael Rennie, Michael Pate, Konstantin Shayne and Herbert Berghof.The Optimum DVD is a nice B&W transfer in the appropriate 1.33 ratio.

I saw this film when it first came out. I remembered that I had enjoyed it so decided to see how the years had treated it.Very well I have to say. It is a true story and tells of a butler at a British Embassy, who photographs secret papers from the safe and sells them to the Germans. He does it for personal gain, as he wants to go and live in luxury in South America. He is very successful and survives some scary moments, as when he is raiding the safe.It has some tense moments and some humerous times too. Recommended.