THE TWO-HEADED SPY

UK, 1958, 93 minutes, Black and white.
Jack Hawkins, Gia Scala, Alexander Knox, Erik Schumann, Felix Aylmer, Laurence Naismith, Donald Pleasance, Kenneth Griffith.
Directed by Andre de Toth.

The Two- Headed Spy is one of many war action tribute films made in England during the 1950s. This one is rather more offbeat (but having interesting parallels with the career of Admiral Canaris). Jack Hawkins portrays an Englishman who had been planted in the German Officer Corps after World War One and was influential in advice given to the Reich during World War Two. There is an interesting supporting cast, especially of British character actors. Gia Scala was at the beginning of a short-lived career. The film is based on a true story. It was directed by American Andre de Toth, director of many westerns and action films, including House of Wax.

1. The popularity of war films in the '50s? War tributes? Comparison with other films of this kind? Its originality in its portrayal of the British planted spy?

2. Black and white photography? Authentic atmosphere? Germany before the war? The experience of the war? The device of using newsclip and montage for war history? Special effects? The musical score and atmosphere?

3. Audience response to spy films? The emphasis on realism in the atmosphere of World War Two? Subsequent cold war espionage and fantasy? The use of conventions for portraying the loneliness and danger of a spy's life, double face, contacts? The focus of the title?

4. The film based on a true story? How plausible? The training of Alex Schottland? His being planted? His long years in Germany? Isolation? Effort for Britain? Loyalty? The final return to Britain?

5. Jack Hawkins' strong portrayal of Schottland? Hawkins' screen presence and capacity for success? A strong man physically and psychologically? His training? Commitment? His ability to live under cover? His important role in German military hierarchy? His relating to fellow officers? Jealousies? Rewards? His contacts ? and avoiding of woman? The passion for clocks and its cover? The variety of contacts? His ability to communicate with England? His friendship with Conaz, the visits to the shop? The Gestapo killing him? Schottland's rise in Supply. the General Staff? The new encounter with Lily and his not wanting to be involved? Reinisch's jealousy? The finale with the war and the taking of Berlin? His emergence back with the Allies? A credible portrait of a spy? Audience sympathy for him?

6. The range of German hierarchy. including Hitler, portrayed in the film? British attitude towards the Nazis? Administration. military and strategies, the Gestapo and their cruelty?

7. Conaz and his dealing in clocks and porcelains? Contact with Schottland? The discovery? His death?

8. Lily and her taking his place? Her cover? Popularity? Encounters with Schottland? His wariness? His love for her?

9. The film's attention to detail in creating an atmosphere for loneliness, undercover work, danger?

10. The film's comment on war, power, deception?