TRIPLE CROSS
UK, 1967, 140 minutes, Colour.
Christopher Plummer, Yul Brynner, Trevor Howard, Romy Schneider, Gert Frobe, Claudine Auger.
Directed by Terence Young.
Triple Cross is based on the true story of Eddie Chapman, a thief sentenced to prison on the island of Jersey at the beginning of World War Two. While in prison, under the Nazi occupation, he offers to spy for Germany. After training, he goes to England where he does a double deal. He seems to want to be on the winning side of the war, whatever side. Ironically, after receiving his pardon he learns that his records were destroyed in an air raid.
Christopher Plummer is an unusual choice for Eddie Chapman - perhaps a bit too suave. Yul Brynner is effective as the German colonel, Romy Schneider decorative as the countess. Gert Frobe gives his usual performance as a German colonel. The supporting cast includes Trevor Howard.
The film is colourful in its presentation of war exploits and espionage. Direction is by Terence Young, director of the early James Bond films and other successful ventures including Charles Bronson actioners, but also the director of a number of poorly received critical films including The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders and the notorious Inchon.
1. An entertaining espionage story? World War Two memoir? A story of espionage and action in the '60s vein?
2. European production: the use of locations, atmosphere of the '40s? Decor? The focus on espionage and its styles? On World War Two and action sequences? The musical score?
3. The title and the ironies of British and German decorations for Eddie Chapman? The focus on Eddie Chapman as an individual, as a spy, as a patriot. as a double agent? The irony of his pardon and the destruction of his documents?
4. Christopher Plummer as Eddie Chapman? Suitable in manner, presence and style? The opening with the robbery? His ability to cover himself? The irony of his being caught, the sentence, imprisonment on Jersey? The experience of prison? His relationships with fellow prisoners? The German occupation of the island? Eddie's devices to get in touch with the German authorities? The interview with the colonel, with the countess? His promise to work for German Intelligence? His trip to France, the new name, identity? The training sequences? His skill in getting the radio code numbers, the testing of loyalty? The mission to England? His contacting British Intelligence, the offer of service for his pardon? The British arranging the dummy explosion? The German photographs of the explosion and his authentic role as a spy? His going back to Europe, his decoration? His relationship with Baron von Grunen? With the countess? The closing years of the war, the move against Hitler. von Grunen and his arrest? The countess? Colonel Steinhager and the ending of the war? Eddie Chapman's final loyalty to Britain? His return? The smooth operator, charming manners, using his burglary experience for his war exploits, keeping his head under interrogation and training? Personal relationships? Moral stances? His involvement with the French Resistance, the relationship with Paulette, the contacts with his fellow prisoners, deaths?
5. The Germans: the colonel and his interrogation, reliance on the countess, suspicions of Chapman, encounters with him during the war, espionage and intelligence? The contrast with Colonel Baron von Grunen - his interest, suspicions, training, friendship? His disillusionment with Hitler?
6. The enigmatic portrait of the countess, self preservation, allegiance to the Germans, with the colonel, with the Baron her influence on Eddie? The repercussions of the war on her?
7. The presentation of the Germans - soldiers, stereotypes? German authorities and the allegiance to Hitler? The details of training of spies, tests? The collapse of the German Reich?
8. The presentation of the British - the police, the antagonism towards Eddle, British intelligence, the interrogations and testing of Chapman's authenticity? The covering of his tracks? Protection?
9. The portrait of the French, the Resistance, personal commitment, suffering, relationships?
10. An entertaining war story? Espionage story? Portrait of an unusual character in unusual situations?
