Main Cast: Richard Attenborough, Joop Doderer, John Gielgud, Derek Jacobi, Robert Morley, Ann Todd
Release Year: 1979
Country: UK
Run Time: 115 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
This routine espionage drama is based on a novel by Graham Greene about a low-level British informant who is caught in a trap. Castle (Nicol Williamson) has a desk job in British intelligence. Around him are heavyweights like Col. Daintry (Richard Attenborough), Sir John Hargreaves (Richard Vernon), and Percival (Robert Morley) who will cold-bloodedly stop at nothing to do their jobs as they see fit. And Castle certainly is a nobody compared to them. One day when a friend of his in Africa needs some help, Castle is conned into supplying the Eastern block countries with info on demand. No one suspects him because of his low position, but when his office partner is hauled off, Castle begins to rethink his situation. This was director Otto Preminger's last film. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
Nicol Williamson - Maurice Castle; Richard Vernon - Sir John Hargreaves; Iman - Sarah; Martin Benson - Borls; Sean Caffrey - Policeman; Tom Chatto - General Phipps; Sylvia Coleridge - Mrs. Halliday; Adrienne Corri - Sylvia; Robert Dorning - Jameson; Clifford Earl - Ferguson; Gary Forbes - Sam; Fiona Fullerton - Elizabeth; Leon Greene - Tall Man; Denys Hawthorne - Inspector Butler; Anthony Haygarth - Buffy; Cyd Hayman - Cunthia; Boris Isarov - Agent; Ken Jones - Messenger; Keith Marsh - Porter; Patrick O'Connell - Reader; Marianne Stone - Matron; Angela Thorne - Mary Hargreaves; Tony Vogel - Matthew Connolly; Frank Williams - Bellamy; Anthony Woodruff - Dr. Barker; Paul Seed - Shop Assistant; Glenna Forster-Jones; Paul Curran - Halliday; Edward Dentith - Edward; Brian Epsom
Credit
Ken Ryan - Art Director, Hope Bryce - Costume Designer, Kip Gowans - First Assistant Director, Otto Preminger - Director, Richard Trevor - Editor, Gary Logan - Composer (Music Score), Richard Logan - Composer (Music Score), Michael Molloy - Cinematographer, Otto Preminger - Producer, Tom Stoppard - Screenwriter, Graham Greene - Book Author
Maurice Castle, an MI6 officer, formerly stationed in Africa, is now working a desk job in London. When it emerges that leaks of confidential documents have been occurring, Castle falls under suspicion along with a colleague Davis. Much of the suspicion against Castle emanates from the fact that he has a black South African wife.
Production
The film was shot in Kenya and at Shepperton Studios near London. It was the last film made by Preminger. As with the book, much of the theme about alleged treason and suspicion are based on the defection of Kim Philby, a friend of Graham Greene, to the Soviets.
