GamerTab That was an excellent one.

AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Rueiro This is a good little thriller that I quite enjoyed watching, since it borrows a lot of elements from "The Prisoner of Zenda" and "The 39 Steps", and it also looks like a Hitchcock thriller: Well written, paced and acted.A fictitious authoritarian country somewhere in central/eastern Europe, political intrigues, a double impersonating the head of state, picturesque towns and eccentric locals, an exciting car chase, a man running for his life, daggers at dawn, a charming ruthless villain and a totally unexpected ending. Fine entertainment for a Sunday afternoon. And a fine cast too: Fairbanks Jr as the man in the run, the commanding presence of Jack Hawkins as the master villain and the always excellent Herbert Lom in a small but nevertheless key role.

krocheav When you see films of the caliber of 'State Secret' it makes you ask how the industry can 'loose' them for so long between the rare screenings! The credits for this near forgotten classic are masterful. Produced and Directed by the talented team of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat (Hitchcock collaborators from way back) this has style that puts some of Hitch's films to shame. Gilliat also adapted the screenplay from prolific writer: Roy Huggins novel. The film moves along at a cracking pace, with a chase across many varied landscapes...night journeys on river barges, over deadly Mountain ranges, through city streets, etc. The Director of Photography is none other than Award winner Robert Krasker ('The Third Man' - 'El Cid', etc) and assisting him is future feature Director: Guy Green ('James Bond' - 'Remo', etc) The look these professionals create together is first class. If you enjoy fast moving suspense dramas, tinged with wry touches of humour this could be waiting for you to discover (or re-visit) Cast wise: Douglas Fairbanks Jr is surprisingly good in a mature roll of famous Surgon, framed by foreign agents to perform operation on 'mystery man' with dynamite results! In an early role, the astonishingly 'cute' Glynis Johns is marvelous. Herbert Lom is used to excellent effect as an international con man drawn into a dangerous liaison with the escaping duo. Jack Hawkins, as usual, is totally convincing as the menacing political manipulator. This film journey is filled with creative touches throughout. Find it on DVD (if you can) otherwise scour the TV Guide and don't miss it. Gem Digital TV in Australia somehow dug it out of the vaults (they probably inherited it in a package deal without being aware what they had - this often happens) then screened it as one of their Sunday afternoon movies. As usual, they presented it in their throw-away, semi-unprofessional manor, with the way too LARGE, lolly 'PINK' station Logo running over the stylish B/W photography. Then proceeded to pepper it with gaudy colour 'pop up' adds, for shows that the audience for this style of movie won't watch in a pink fit! Don't they know...has no one taught them? While at least they had a superbly re-mastered print with clear image and good contrast, they then ran the sound track through an 'auto level controller' (A.L.C.) so that during the films quieter moments the ALC unit goes off looking for sound that's not even there, leaving the viewer to suffer 'Hiss and Background noise' till someone speaks again. Pitiful. Oh well, at least they did screen it! Bless their little hearts!

FilmartDD The producers wrote films by Hitchcock and Carol Reed, and it shows. A lightweight suspenser, with the charm of impeccably urbane Fairbanks and that Paper Doll lady (surprisingly, Jack Hawkins lacks a light touch). Marvellously photographed by Robert Krasker-- how did he fit it in with The Third Man -- in the Dolomite Mountains (see contemporary report in Sight and Sound magazine). Little recognised, but this is cinematic st

jennyp-2 I viewed this film at Cinevent in Columbus, Ohio on Memorial Day weekend, 2001. It is one of Fairbanks's best performances. He is believable as an American physician brought to a eastern European nation under false pretenses. When his patient, the current dictator, dies he is slated to be killed as part of the coverup. He escapes with the unwilling aid of a cabaret singer (Glynis Johns), a stranger who is the only person he can find that speaks English. The story is told in flashback and contains some highly tense moments of an escape over high mountains and a bit of comic relief provided by Herbert Lom. First rate! I hope this film can be released on video or seen on television. It shouldn't be missed.