FIVE FINGERS is one of the better espionage movies that came out in the '50s, a post-war film that contains a wonderful central performance by JAMES MASON, an excellent script and fine direction from Joseph L. Mankiewicz. TCM was presenting it as a tribute to Bernard Herrmann, who contributes his background score to the film--a minor work, in my opinion, not as stirring as the scores he would later write for his collaboration with Hitchcock.
It's the taut script that supplies all the suspense and the performances of an expert cast. DANIELLE DARRIEUX is assured as the greedy Countess who decides to go along with Mason's offer of assisting him in his little enterprise with the Germans so that she can acquire the wealth to which she is accustomed, rather than remain penniless. It's their relationship that leads to the stunning twist ending.
There are clever touches in the screenplay that will have the viewer on the edge of the seat as Mason almost gets caught time after time, but is able to use his wits at all times to avoid capture. The satisfying ending is quite unpredictable and seems to be manufactured in order to add some zest to the spy story--but that's no matter.
Mason was at the top of his form, using his voice and suave, debonair charm as an English gentleman who happens to be a very astute spy while working as a valet at the British Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. MICHAEL RENNIE is fine as the American agent assigned to find out who is stealing "Top Secret" WWII plans for defeating the Germans. The last half-hour deals with his attempts to track down and capture Mason once he is aware that he is the culprit.
Fascinating spy yarn deserves to be seen as one of the best of its kind with an ironic ending.
It's the taut script that supplies all the suspense and the performances of an expert cast. DANIELLE DARRIEUX is assured as the greedy Countess who decides to go along with Mason's offer of assisting him in his little enterprise with the Germans so that she can acquire the wealth to which she is accustomed, rather than remain penniless. It's their relationship that leads to the stunning twist ending.
There are clever touches in the screenplay that will have the viewer on the edge of the seat as Mason almost gets caught time after time, but is able to use his wits at all times to avoid capture. The satisfying ending is quite unpredictable and seems to be manufactured in order to add some zest to the spy story--but that's no matter.
Mason was at the top of his form, using his voice and suave, debonair charm as an English gentleman who happens to be a very astute spy while working as a valet at the British Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. MICHAEL RENNIE is fine as the American agent assigned to find out who is stealing "Top Secret" WWII plans for defeating the Germans. The last half-hour deals with his attempts to track down and capture Mason once he is aware that he is the culprit.
Fascinating spy yarn deserves to be seen as one of the best of its kind with an ironic ending.