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15 out of 17 people found the following review useful: Plummer's no Connery, 25 September 2004 Author: Oct (wjphillips@clara.co.uk) from London, England
Terence Young directed the first two James Bond films and magnificently set the style of the series. He tries to bring some of that flamboyance to "Triple Cross", down to a title song which should have been sung by Shirley Bassey. But this wartime shaggy-dog espionage yarn resisted the 007 treatment and laid a big egg. Compared with, say, "Five Fingers" or "I Was Monty's Double", "Triple Cross" is sluggish. It's a European co-production, always a difficult diplomatic problem, and the cast is a mini-United Nations: a Canadian as the secret agent, a British spy master, Germans, an Austrian love interest and Yul Brynner, whose origins (like those of the slab in "2001") were still a total mystery. Christopher Plummer is sleek and sardonic as Eddie Chapman, a master safe cracker and in reality a working class charmer from North East England who had been a Guardsman; here he seems more of a toff, like Raffles or Bond. The bare bones of his story were true and incredible enough not to need polishing. Eddie was in jail in the Channel Island of Jersey when the Germans occupied it in 1940 (by air, not as shown here from ships docked directly under Chapman's cell). He offered himself as a Nazi spy to get back to England. There he immediately re-ratted and got sent to Germany, where he trained other agents whom the British caught and turned. The unsuspecting Nazis were so pleased with his apparent perfidy that he was given the Iron Cross. Hence the film's title.Brynner is a "good German" colonel, an anti-Nazi aristo who pays the price of involvement in the Hitler assassination plot. Among other heel-clickers who think they are controlling Chapman is Gert Frobe-- so that's what Goldfinger was up to before he became a card sharp in Miami. Trevor Howard sports an ugly little ginger beard. Romy Schneider, no longer the plump little ingenue of the Sissi trilogy, is sharp-jawed and wan as Eddie's aristocratic girlfriend. Their lack of chemistry underscores Plummer's lack of sex appeal. He was losing the kudos he had gained as Baron von Trapp-- maybe he'd have felt more at ease in Brynner's part-- and his stellar status was as brief as Julie Andrews's. Eddie Chapman fared better. Given a blanket amnesty at the war's end, he married and lived long, prosperously and respectably.
13 out of 15 people found the following review useful: Fantasy based on fact., 1 November 2005 Author: Zipper69 from Sunny Sarasota FL
The ghost of Bond is fairly obvious here. Plummer as the real life safe cracker Eddy Chapman is suitably suave and charming and Yul Brynner is his normal stiff martinet (with added monocle)and Romi Schneider is "okay" (the love scenes are mostly a dud and show little chemistry between Romi and Chris). The production design is pretty good, lots of authentic uniforms and arms, plus plenty of genuine WW2 trucks and cars, the naughty Nazis are a tad stereotypical, but the conference scenes in the Paris hotel are well produced. Perhaps an aircraft buff can identify the twin engined plane used in several sequences, it certainly didn't look German! Overall an entertaining way of passing the time with few phony heroics.
10 out of 10 people found the following review useful: A good wartime thriller that could have been great, 30 June 2008 Author: TrevorAclea from London, England
"One could give him the most difficult of missions knowing that he would carry it out and that he would never betray the official who sent him, but.. it was highly probable that he would rob the official who sent him out... He would then carry out his mission and return to the official whom he had robbed to report." Thus did a young filmmaker who found himself in British Intelligence during WW2 describe Eddie Chapman. Certainly if Chapman didn't exist, you'd have to invent him. Playboy, conman, burglar, spy, a member of the pre-WW2 'Gelignite Gang' and the only British citizen to be awarded the Iron Cross, during WW2 he was recruited by the Nazis as a spy only to end up spying on them for the British. Terence Young would appear to be the perfect director to bring his story to the screen - not only did he direct three Bond movies but he had been a friend of Chapman's: in fact, he was the young intelligence officer who gave that realistic appraisal of his abilities and weaknesses. Unfortunately, the book 1967's Triple Cross was based on was heavily vetted by MI5 and the film had even less to do with the truth, either as Chapman (who didn't care much for the film) told it or as it really happened. One of those international co-productions so popular in the late Sixties (in this case Anglo-French), it has a good cast - Christopher Plummer as Chapman, Romy Schneider, Trevor Howard, Yul Brynner and Bond veterans Gert Frobe and Claudine Auger - and a more than healthy budget. On paper, the Private War of Eddie Chapman, Inc. certainly has everything it needs for an above-average thriller, with Chapman a potentially perfect 60's antihero. Arrested while posing as a financier ("I handle other people's money") in the Channel Islands and still imprisoned when the Germans invade, he's quick to offer his talents to the invaders on the grounds that "I'd rather live for Germany than die for England." After being vetted by Frobe's policeman and Schneider's Countess he finds himself under exclusive personal contract to Brynner's old school general and eventually sent back to England to destroy an aircraft factory, only to immediately offer his services to the even more suspicious British - for the right price. Yet while it maps out a steady course it all seems a little unambitious, happy to settle for enjoyable enough Saturday night fare. Moments ring true, such as Chapman being paid in British Stirling taken from troops captured at Dunkirk or Howard refusing Chapman's request for a Distinguished Service Order because "I happen to wear it myself when I'm in uniform and I'm a snob about whoever else should wear it," while the film is particularly successful in showing the gradual defeatist attitude that overtakes the Germans, from generals merely grunting a reply to a Heil Hitler to Chapman's working for the British becoming an open secret in the German intelligence community that no-one cares enough to do anything about. Plummer's a convincingly amoral Chapman, blithely untroubled by any semblance of conscience and enjoying the ride, but it's Frobe's suspicious ex-policeman, secure in the knowledge that police are always needed whatever regime is in power, who is the most interesting character despite never being developed as enough of a potential threat. Unfortunately, there's rather a lack of threat throughout despite a couple of minor moments of suspense, Chapman's unshakeable self-belief being mirrored by a script that never seriously conveys the possibility of discovery. If he's not as lazy as he'd later become, Young's die-hard bad habits are present, from the trademark dodgy dubbing of bit players (step forward Robert Rietty at the microphone) and casting of old pals like Anthony Dawson (Professor Dent in Dr No), with the film managing to be a rather slick package that's perhaps not as well wrapped as it could be in places - to use a metaphor the famed bon vivant probably would have approved of, a good wine delivered in a slightly cracked bottle. Chief among the cracks is the oh so happening Sixties title song that's so wrong it's almost lovable, with dementedly cast-off Bond-song lyrics - "You've been crossed/And even crossed double/If you've been around, that's normal for the cooourrrsssse/But you won't believe the trouble/You'll find in just one man/The man of the Triple Cross!!!/Give him love/He will always keep taking/He can only win/And you will take the loss/So before your world is shaken/Escape him if you can/The maaa-aaa-aaannn of the Triple Cross!!!!" There have subsequently been two books about Chapman's exploits this year, with Ben Macintyre's Agent Zigzag highly recommended if you want to find out the true story. But as rainy day take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt entertainment, Triple Cross does well enough.
4 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Raffles Goes to War, 2 September 2007 Author: bkoganbing from Buffalo, New York
Triple Cross tells the story of professional thief Eddie Chapman who worked as a double agent for the Germans and the British during World War II. He's charmingly played by Christopher Plummer who was at the height of his career with The Sound of Music on the horizon for him.Chapman was some piece of work and he was only able to accomplish this whole thing by dint of the fact that he was operating on the Channel islands when World War II broke out. By that time he'd eschewed opening safes by cracking combinations, he was using controlled amounts of gelignite in his work.Sent to prison on the Isle of Jersey, Plummer is there when the Germans take over those islands and promptly offers his services to the Nazis. After taking him up on the offer despite the stern objections of Gert Frobe, Plummer gets an assignment back in the United Kingdom. Of course upon landing there he promptly offers his services to the British and they take him up on it as well.I love to watch Christopher Plummer on screen. He's so suave and professional in everything he does whether it's the Duke of Wellington in the film Waterloo, to Baron Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, to even the villainous hypocritical reverend in Dragnet. He's never anything, but at his best for his audience.His handlers at the British and German ends are Trevor Howard and Yul Brynner. Howard is in the stiff upper lip tradition of his country and Brynner provides an air of melancholia for his part. It ends in tragedy for him as he's part of the bomb plot to kill Hitler in 1944. By the way it is just that somehow Plummer was conned biggest of all in the end. To see what I'm talking about by all means catch Triple Cross.
4 out of 4 people found the following review useful: a true gem among the usual spy 'n die movies, 3 April 1999 Author: void-4 from germany
ok, it has its flaws...and it's too long but nevermind that. 'fantastique histoire..' features a stellar international cast with christopher plummer playing the amoral eddie chapman playing the enemies against each other. it's dialogue and style is quite 'tongue-in-the-cheek', quite humorous at times. one of the more light-headed yet very entertaining WW2/spy-movies. definitely worth seeing, but don't take it too seriously.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Good, but could've been better, 1 June 2007 Author: mdouglasfresno from United States
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
An interesting if not wholly successful WWII/Spy movie, based (very loosely) on a true story. Unfortunately, the use of a James Bond director and a couple of actors from Bond films naturally prompts comparisons, which is not completely fair. I don't know if Terence Young consciously tried to make a wartime Bond imitation; I simply can't believe he could of regarded Christopher Plummer as a adequate substitute for Sean Connery! But if one disregards the Bondian roots of the movie, "Triple Cross" is a fairly good film. Yes, Plummer is no Sean Connery, but he pulls off a fairly good performance; and if he comes off to viewers as bemused and smirking, then he succeeded in capturing at least one side of the real Eddie Chapman's persona. I agree with previous posters that he and Romy Schneider make an unconvincing pair; they just don't have any chemistry in their scenes together. Also, the script was a bit turgid, especially concerning Yul Brynner's activities, but that wasn't a major handicap.I think the worst thing about "Triple Cross" is the annoying, "mod" Sixties theme song. A song like that might have worked in a Bond film, but it's totally out-of-place in a thriller set in the 1940's. I remember thinking so when I first saw the movie in 1967, and now of course the theme sounds horribly dated. Surprised they didn't get Tom Jones of "Thunderball" fame to sing it (instead of the unknown Tony Allen)! Well, maybe Tom was busy recording "What's New, Pussycat?". The rest of the score is an improvement, but still barely adequate. By comparison, that other WWII thriller produced in 1966, "The Night of the Generals", had a much superior musical score -- and without a "hip" theme song! Interestingly, both movies manage to work-in the Hitler assassination plot, and Christopher Plummer even made a cameo appearance in "Night of the Generals" as Rommel. I think of any movie, "Triple Cross" perhaps has more in common with "The Man Who Never Was"; though admittedly that movie played it much more serious. Seeing the Trevor Howard character immediately reminded me of Clifton Webb, right down to the beard!
1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: Amusing spy-story about a double agent during WWII and allegedly based on true events, 8 May 2009 Author: ma-cortes from Santander Spain
This espionage-Flic based on fact concerns about astute safe-cracker named David Chapman(Christopher Plummer) who encounters himself working for both contenders in the 40s , as German secret service commanded by a baron(Yul Brynner) and a colonel(Get Frobe) and British military(led by Trevor Howard and Jess Hahn). Meanwhile he falls in love with a gorgeous resistance fighter(Claudine Auger) and a mysterious German countess(Romy Schneider). Chapman attempts to cheat both sides and play each other. The he's sent a dangerous mission and parachuted at England with objective to reconnaissance and factories sabotages. He's even decorated by General Von Runstedt(Marcel Journet).Based on real events starred by a real bank robber named Eddie Chapman, this film packs action, suspense, warlike feats and is quite entertaining. First rate main cast as Christopher Plummer as amoral but sympathetic double agent adding a bemusing touch , Yul Brynner as disillusioned German officer, a Von Stauffemberg-alike, and a splendid Get Frobe as cunning Colonel. Ample and stunning supporting cast with a magnificent Trevor Howard, and beautiful Claudine Auger and Romy Schneider, among others. Appear uncredited prestigious secondaries as Gordon Jackson, Howard Vernon,Bernard Fresson and Gordon Jackson. Colorful and evocative cinematography by Henry Alekan, Terence Young's usual cameraman(Mayerling,Poppies are also flowers). Enjoyable musical score by George Garvarentz in a James Bond style. The motion picture is regularly directed by Terence Young but contains some flaws and gaps, though tension at times, as well. The film was realized in his best period when he made the classic Bonds films(Dr No, From Russia with love and Thunderball). Rating : Acceptable and passable.
1 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Adolf Hitler :-Mr E.Chapman's part in his downfall............, 15 November 2008 Author: ianlouisiana from United Kingdom
Eddie Chapman was a career criminal.A safe breaker stealing from mugs like you and me because it paid well and he never fancied getting his hands dirty with real work like the rest of us.He was a hard man from the north - east of England who ran with some of the most ruthless criminals of his day.He wasn't "Raffles",he wasn't in any way,shape or form like the upper - class knob Mr C.Plummer turns him into.His sole ambition was to be let out of prison and he did what he considered he had to do to achieve that aim.Conning the Germans,playing them off against the Brits,he had a whale of a time as an international swordsman on both sides of the channel.Or so Terence Young would have us believe. Was Mr Young just another victim of Mr.Chapman's self - mythologising? Decide for yourself by watching "Triple Cross" with Mr G.Frobe as the pragmatic Nazi ex - cop for whom Chapman is just a shade too good to be true and Mr Y.Brynner as the anti - Nazi German officer,a breed that proliferated as the war neared its end.Where were they when we needed them in 1939? The movie suffers from some serious arse - licking towards its hero who is shown to be suave,sophisticated,erudite and awfully handsome.A positive dreamboat as he drops into the arms of German Intelligence - a gift horse,almost,as Herr Frobe rightly suspects. Based on Mr Chapman's perhaps slightly biased autobiography,"Triple Cross" unlike "David Copperfield" leaves us in no doubt from page one as to who the hero of the story is going to be.
1 out of 3 people found the following review useful: True Story? Not very believable., 12 November 2001 Author: jbelkin800 from northern cal
It's worth seeing if you'd like to see every spy WWII movie ever made but other than that, there's not a lot to recommend it besides a great cast - they're all fine and do the best they're given with. Romy Schneider is gorgeous (not much screen time) and it's amusing to see "goldfinger" (Gert Fröbe) in another role - though he's essentially playing the same character.This might be considered a spoiler alert so be warned but then again, they named the movie "Triple Cross" for the US market - you don't need to be a rocket scientest to see what direction the story and the main character are going in.Frankly, nothing about the movie adds up - he's a debonair cat burgler who has an accomplice that basically calls attention to the crime - I'm surprised he wasn't caught after the 2nd time out.He unconvincingly convinces the Germans to train him as a spy by asking - yes, by asking ... and the rest of the story unfolds in a unconvincing and slow manner - there's no suspense and every possible plot suspense is telegraphed and explained slowly. As for the Chris Plummer's performance, he's just all wrong - basically, Eddie Chapman is supposed to be so charming he gets away with it all but Chris Plummer's jokey manner makes him just smirky - that can work on a Bruce Willis level if you pump up the action but asking him to be Cary Grant is just too much - as a "charming" spy, he'd be shot in 2 minutes.It's not a bad movie because the cast is great but it's just not good. It's worth seeing for the locations and beautiful women but not much else.
0 out of 4 people found the following review useful: Triple Cross, 9 July 2006 Author: austrianmoviebuff from Vienna, Austria
"Triple Cross" is one of the movies Terence Young wished he'd never done, and it is bad indeed, even though it had all the ingredients a good box office hit needs: an international all-star cast (Christopher Plummer, Romy Schneider, Yul Brynner, Trevor Howard, Gert Fröbe, Jess Hahn, Claudine Auger from "Thunderball", Howard Vernon and Bernard Fresson), a massive budget, a director at the height of his international fame, a Bond-like story, a Bond-like score (Georges Garvarentz) and Bond-like locations (Jersey, London, Paris, Lisbon, Southern France). What went wrong?Basically, "Triple Cross" is about one hour too long (there are two versions available, one lasts 145 minutes, the other one 126), and for many parts it seems as if even the director got confused with the different story lines, so the movie is guilty of both, boredom and confusion. The romantic aspect of the film doesn't work out; the chemistry between Plummer and Schneider is everything but right. Christopher Plummer is a huge disappointment in his attempt to be Sean Connery. He is undoubtedly a good actor, but as Eddie Chapman, he remains pale and utterly deadpan. Where Connery as Bond had a lot of sex-appeal and charm, Plummer has nothing to offer. Miss Schneider is equally miscast as the mysterious Countess, she seems lost and bored and gives one of the very few bad performances of her life.I won't give a summary of the plot here, it's just not worth it. I recommend watching the early Bond movies, like "Dr. No", "Goldfinger", or "From Russia With Love" instead.
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