This superior WWII thriller depicts the efforts of an idealistic German medic, Happy (Werner), to spy on the Nazis to help shorten the war that is destroying his country. Volunteering to work for the Americans, POW Happy undergoes training and parachutes behind German lines to locate a
powerful German Panzer corps. In the course of the mission, he faces countless perils and makes several allies and enemies as he rushes to his heroic destiny.
Director Litvak gives this WWII spy thriller a compelling sense of reality by shooting it in semi-documentary style on location in Germany where the war-scarred surroundings add authenticity to the story. He also utilizes a cast of highly competent unknowns, mostly foreign actors, many of whom
became prominent later. Werner is paricularly outstanding and Litvak milks his situation for maximum dramatic impact while presenting a moving portrait of the aftershocks of war. Planer's photography is realistically grim, and Waxman's score is compelling. An outstanding production in all
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