Diplomatic Courier

A diplomatic courier (Tyrone Power) for the State Department is set to receive an important package from a colleague and old friend (James Millican) in Austria but the contact pretends to not recognize him and is later murdered and the package missing. Veteran director Henry Hathaway (TRUE GRIT)is behind the camera for this intriguing espionage cold war thriller. Shot in B&W by Lucien Ballard (THE WILD BUNCH), the film doesn't take full advantage of the colorful Austrian and Italian locations which would have benefited from a Technicolor perspective. It would have been different if the B&W photography contributed a noir-ish post WWII atmosphere like Reed's THE THIRD MAN but it's not that kind of picture. The film profits by having two femme fatales, a globe trotting widow (Patricia Neal) who Power meets on an airplane and a Czech spy (Hildegard Knef) who Power meets on a train. Hathaway keeps the movie whizzing along to its conclusion with very little lagging. The large cast includes Karl Malden, Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Stephen McNally, Herbert Berghof, Helene Stanley and Michael Ansara. An enjoyable, if minor, entry into the cold war movie canon.The Fox DVD via Spain is a nice B&W transfer in its appropriate 1.33 aspect ratio. Spanish subtitles are removable.

Great movie. Sadly, not pressed, or burned on M-DISCI completely understand that obscure movies like this may not economically justify pressing a disc. However, I would have gladly paid a dollar or two more for a disc that would last forever. Instead, they burned the movie on the old-fashioned, purple dye type disc that are only good for around 5 - 7 years. M-Disc last 100s of years.This review is for the actual item I received from Amazon. If you are after a, "pure movie review", I suggest you look at the International Movie Database. There you will find many reviews without regard to the delivery mechanism.Great Movie !!

Probably one of the lesser known Tyrone Power films, this filmed on location Cold War spy thriller has many twists and turns that keep you guessing.I bought this because I'm a fan of Tyrone Power and like most every film he was in (well, some more than others). I had never seen it before so I took a chance and was happy that I did. On another DVD in the Tyrone Power collection, Patricia Neal is interviews about her role in this film so I was intrigued enough to buy this. He's still pretty darn handsome in this one; only a bit older and less of a callous youth, as with is films from the 1930s.Remember, as with all of the Fox Cinemas Archives DVDs, there are no extras of any sort - just the movie. All very barebones!

This is a good, solid spy caper featuring a good, solid Tyrone Power in a more adult role than when he was being used by Daryl Zanuck as his answer to Errol Flynn. Power showed he could act in "The Razor's Edge" and "Nightmare Alley". This is a good vehicle to expand his dramatic chops in. Not a great film but a very enjoyable one with fast pacing and a good cast. If you like Power or even remember him this is a good example of what he could bring to the screen.

This film held my interest from beinning to end. All of the actors were at the top of their game. It sparked my interest to the point that I am going to purchase the book, Sinister Errand, on which the movie is based.The cold war was so simple as compared with today's international problems!

I love old black and white classic movies, which this qualifies as. My collection of over 500 movies , which Amazon can testify to, is loaded with some of the finest ever made. I'm still adding to it. Yatahey! D.E.K.

I saw this movie years ago. Too bad it is not available on DVD (USA format) now. I would definitely buy it for my classic movie collection. Tyrone gives a good performance, as does Patricia Neal who was an excellent actress.

One of the better cold war movies. Parts of it were filmed in Salzburg, Austrai, and in Trieste, Italy.

Super quality as if it was made yesterday. I bought this film as I have just discovered Hildegard Knef. She certainly didn't disappoint me with her sensitive performance as the fragile young woman eager for affection who had been illused by men. That she managed to survive and gain the trust of one, and as the movie goes on, endure the suspicion and distrust of another, kept me watching. Patricia Neal plays the dotty confident American women who surprised me with her actions, and Tyrone Power who goes through the film wondering just who to trust, while being taken out of his comfort zone as the Diplomatic Courier. I love these old films, pure entertainment without the sex and over the top violence of todays movies.

Quite good, interesting and entertaining. Well told story that progresses nicely. This is a typically East-West cold war thriller where dangerous Soviet plans are revealed, thanks to work done in the field by courier Mike Kells, played by Tyrone Power. I have seldom seen talented actor Karl Malden better than in this movie. And Patricia Neill is good as always, in a role typical for her.

Good simple story of a courier trying to get secret papers back to the USA.Full frame region 2 dvd, with some nice early roles for Charles Bronson & Lee Marvin.Has enough twists and turns to make a good 90 minute story pass along quite swiftly.

Did not know about this movie and was pleasantly surprised. Good story and acting.Quality of disc very good and item arrived before due date.

One of Tyrone Power's lesser known films, but an enjoyable one with Diplomatic Courier Ty caught up in some Foreign intrigue and of course a couple of lovely ladies thrown in for good measure. Stephen McNally and Karl Malden give some solid support in this fun adventure! Beautiful print in this French DVD release, original English soundtrack, but does have French sub titles!