Like so many post world war era films, this war film is a bit of a disappointment, featuring great rural location footage and gritty situations, but the film overall is hampered by a poor narrative. Just one of many exactly like that, and under the direction of Robert Aldrich, all the more disappointing because of that and his star, Robert Mitchum, who is overshadowed by the darker characters in the supporting cast.
Simply walking into a Greek countryside airport hotel and inquiring how much time before the next plane leaves, he attracts the attention of an obviously sinister person, and from there, he's surrounded by them. He's determined to get out of the war torn country and is recruited by Greek freedom fighters to get secret papers into the right hands and keep them out of the Nazis. His contact is pretty Greek young lady Elisabeth Müller who promises to get him safely away.
Then there's the fabulous supporting cast: Stanley Baker, Gia Scala, Theodore Bikel and Sebastian Cabot, much more showy than the rather bland Mitchum (barely showing any kind of emotion), as well as sensational photography and location footage, utilizing every thin one lane road they could get permission to use. Ultimately this is a letdown that didn't fulfill its purpose, although Aldrich does a great job at least keeping the viewer intrigued by what could have been.
Simply walking into a Greek countryside airport hotel and inquiring how much time before the next plane leaves, he attracts the attention of an obviously sinister person, and from there, he's surrounded by them. He's determined to get out of the war torn country and is recruited by Greek freedom fighters to get secret papers into the right hands and keep them out of the Nazis. His contact is pretty Greek young lady Elisabeth Müller who promises to get him safely away.
Then there's the fabulous supporting cast: Stanley Baker, Gia Scala, Theodore Bikel and Sebastian Cabot, much more showy than the rather bland Mitchum (barely showing any kind of emotion), as well as sensational photography and location footage, utilizing every thin one lane road they could get permission to use. Ultimately this is a letdown that didn't fulfill its purpose, although Aldrich does a great job at least keeping the viewer intrigued by what could have been.