One of Hitchcock's early films. A decent thriller, but the character of Ashenden struck me as awfully fickle, and Peter Lorre's plays his "General" waaay over-the-top considering the relative seriousness of the film. The ending also left me at something of a loss for how ridiculous it was.

73.000

Excellent early Hitchcock film, generally underrated, gives Gielgud a rare (movie) starring role, even rarer as a romantic lead. Story remains fascinatingly ambiguous (especially for a 30s film), and Lorre and Carroll are both terrific in support as slimy mexican spy and Gielgud's spying partner respectively. Love the assassination viewed through telescope!

Peter Lorre is a lot of fun in this, but the third act is just too disappointing to elevate this into Hitchcock's upper strata.

subpar early Hitch....gielgud just didn't do it for me....lorre was also miscast. the special effects are laughable and the climax was a dud. verdict: pass on this one.

Plotwise, it doesn't stand the comparison even with the 39 Steps, not to mention Hitch's later work. The film is only worth watching for Peter Lorre's hysterical performance. In fact, every time I watch it, I'm stunned by the modernity of his acting compared to the rather wooden style of old-school Gielgud and Carroll. Lorre's unique brand of drollery is something of an oddity among mid 30's classics.

It fits in beautifully with his late 30's thriller period, perhaps not as memorable as 39 Steps or Lady Vanishes, but every bit as good as Young and Innocent or Sabotage. A few clunky bits, but loaded with marvelous little touches like the roulette wheel and the snuffing out of the cigarette, and scenes of taut suspense. Peter Lorre hams it up a little, but his combination of comedy and menace is a treat. If the story as a whole feels a bit uneventful, it is at least very well-crafted.

Strange blend of comedy and thriller elements which don't quite mesh. One of Hitchcock's oddest films.