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| producer = Raoul Lévy<br>[[Conrad von Molo]]
| producer = Raoul Lévy<br>[[Conrad von Molo]]
| writer = <span style="white-space: nowrap"> Raoul Lévy <br /> [[Robert Guenette]] <br /> [[Montgomery Clift]]<ref group="n" name="uncred">Uncredited.</ref> <br /> [[Peter Francke]]<ref group="n" name="uncred" /> <ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060295/combined ''The Defector'', full cast & crew, IMDB]</ref> </span>
| writer = <span style="white-space: nowrap"> Raoul Lévy <br /> [[Robert Guenette]] <br /> [[Montgomery Clift]]<ref group="n" name="uncred">Uncredited.</ref> <br /> [[Peter Francke]]<ref group="n" name="uncred" /> <ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060295/combined ''The Defector'', full cast & crew, IMDB]</ref> </span>
|based on = 1965 novel ''The Spy'' by Paul Thomas
| narrator =
| narrator =
| starring = Montgomery Clift <br /> [[Hardy Krüger]] <br /> [[Roddy McDowall]]
| starring = Montgomery Clift <br /> [[Hardy Krüger]] <br /> [[Roddy McDowall]]
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| cinematography = [[Raoul Coutard]]
| cinematography = [[Raoul Coutard]]
| editing = Roger Dwyre<br>Albert Jurgenson
| editing = Roger Dwyre<br>Albert Jurgenson
|studio=[[Seven Arts Productions]]
| distributor = <span style="white-space: nowrap"> [[Gaumont Film Company|Gaumont]] S.A.B. <br /> [[Seven Arts Productions]] </span>
| distributor = <span style="white-space: nowrap"> [[Gaumont Film Company|Gaumont]] S.A.B. <br /> [[Seven Arts Productions]] </span>
| released = <span style="white-space: nowrap"> 20 Oct 1966 {{Smaller|(W. Germany)}} <br /> 16 Nov 1966 {{Smaller|(USA)}} <br /> 24 Nov 1967 {{Smaller|(Sweden)}} <br /> 17 May 1968 {{Smaller|(Finland)}} </span>
| released = <span style="white-space: nowrap"> 20 Oct 1966 {{Smaller|(W. Germany)}} <br /> 16 Nov 1966 {{Smaller|(USA)}} <br /> 24 Nov 1967 {{Smaller|(Sweden)}} <br /> 17 May 1968 {{Smaller|(Finland)}} </span>
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| country = France<br>West Germany
| country = France<br>West Germany
| language = English
| language = English
| budget =
| budget = $1.5 million<ref name="on"/>
}}
}}
'''''The Defector''''' is a 1966 [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] [[film]], starring [[Montgomery Clift]], [[Roddy McDowall]] and [[Macha Meril]]. It was directed by [[Belgian]] director/producer [[Raoul Lévy]] and based on the 1965 novel ''L'espion'' by Paul Thomas.
'''''The Defector''''' is a 1966 [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] [[film]], starring [[Montgomery Clift]], [[Roddy McDowall]] and [[Macha Meril]]. It was directed by [[Belgian]] director/producer [[Raoul Lévy]] and based on the 1965 novel ''L'espion'' (''The Spy'') by Paul Thomas.<ref>DEFECTOR, The "(L'Espion)"
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 34, Iss. 396, (Jan 1, 1967): 174. </ref>


⚫
This was Clift's final film, and he only agreed to star in it so he could prepare himself for his next role in the 1967 film ''[[Reflections in a Golden Eye (film)|Reflections in a Golden Eye]]'' (the role went to actor [[Marlon Brando]]). Although obviously very ill (he died less than three months after most of the shooting was completed), he still managed to give a convincing performance in what has been termed a very moody and sombre film. This characterization is in stark contrast to the exuberance displayed by his love interest, who was played by Meril, an obviously more youthful woman.

⚫
Lévy committed suicide on 31 December 1966. Consequently, although the film was released before Levy's death, it was a posthumous showing for both its director and lead actor.
==Plot==
==Plot==
Professor Bower, an American physicist, is effectively blackmailed by a shady [[CIA]] agent named Adams to help the CIA obtain secret microfilm from a defecting Russian scientist. The reluctant Bower travels to [[East Germany]] undercover as an antiques collector where he encounters Heinzmann, an East German fellow physicist, who is also a secret agent. Heinzmann is aware of Bower's meeting with Adams and his intention to steal the microfilm, but their mutual respect for one another's tactics complicate the proceedings.
Professor Bower, an American physicist, is effectively blackmailed by a shady [[CIA]] agent named Adams to help the CIA obtain secret microfilm from a defecting Russian scientist. The reluctant Bower travels to [[East Germany]] undercover as an antiques collector where he encounters Heinzmann, an East German fellow physicist, who is also a secret agent. Heinzmann is aware of Bower's meeting with Adams and his intention to steal the microfilm, but their mutual respect for one another's tactics complicate the proceedings.


==Cast==
==Cast==
⚫
Actress [[Leslie Caron]] gave up her role in the film shortly before filming began in Munich in March 1966.<ref name="DesMoinesRegister">{{cite news|title=People in the News...Quits|publisher=[[The Des Moines Register]]|date=March 3, 1966}}</ref>
* [[Montgomery Clift]] as Prof. James Bower
* [[Montgomery Clift]] as Prof. James Bower
* [[Hardy Krüger]] as Counselor Peter Heinzmann
* [[Hardy Krüger]] as Counselor Peter Heinzmann
Line 35: Line 40:
* [[Karl Lieffen]] as The Major
* [[Karl Lieffen]] as The Major


==Notes==
==Production==
The movie was based on the novel ''The Spy''. The film was announced in January 1966. It was Montgomery Clift's first film appearance in four years. The original stars announced were Clift, [[Monica Vitti]] and [[Hardy Kruger]]. Filming was to begin on 29 January 1966 in Munich at the Regina Hotel and at the Bavaria Atellier Gestellschaft Studio on a budget of $1.5 million.<ref name="on">On Three War Fronts
⚫
This was Clift's final film, and he only agreed to star in it so he could prepare himself for his next role in the 1967 film ''[[Reflections in a Golden Eye (film)|Reflections in a Golden Eye]]'' (the role went to actor [[Marlon Brando]]). Although obviously very ill (he died less than three months after most of the shooting was completed), he still managed to give a convincing performance in what has been termed a very moody and sombre film. This characterization is in stark contrast to the exuberance displayed by his love interest, who was played by Meril, an obviously more youthful woman.
By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 9 Jan 1966: 69. </ref> Levy had previously made ''[[Hail Mafia]]'' with Seven Arts.<ref name="on"/>

⚫
Lévy died in 1966. Consequently, although the film was released before Levy's death, it was a posthumous showing for both its director and lead actor.


Filming ended up being pushed back until March. This meant Vitti had to drop out and was replaced by [[Leslie Caron]].<ref>'Catch-22' Readied for 1967
⚫
==Critics' response==
⚫
Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 24 Feb 1966: a10. </ref> Then Caron gave up her role in the film shortly before filming began in Munich in March 1966.<ref name="DesMoinesRegister">{{cite news|title=People in the News...Quits|publisher=[[The Des Moines Register]]|date=March 3, 1966}}</ref> [[Nicole Courcel]] dropped out and was replaced by [[Macha Meril]].<ref>'Impossible' Script Ready
⚫
Critics were generally favorable to the film, but some were more specific, as [[Bosley Crowther]] of the ''New York Times'' said, "Mr. Clift is apt in this his last film — lonely, bewildered, courageous - it's just too bad it doesn't quite ring the bell."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B02EFD81338E43BBC4F52DFB767838D679EDE? Review of ''The Defector''] from the November 17, 1966 edition of ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref>
Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 31 Mar 1966: d17. </ref> Filming proceeded relatively smoothly in sharp contrast to other later period Clift movies.<ref>Features/Articles/People: The Winner Who Lost: Montgomery Clift
Long, Barbara. Vogue; New York Vol. 148, Iss. 9, (Nov 15, 1966): 70, 72, 74, 86.</ref>


The movie completed filming in June. Clift returned to New York where he died the following month.<ref>Montgomery Clift, 45, Dies of Heart Attack in New York
Los Angeles Times 24 July 1966: B. </ref>
==Reception==
⚫
===Critics' response===
⚫
Critics were generally favorable to the film, but some were more specific, as [[Bosley Crowther]] of the ''New York Times'' said, "Mr. Clift is apt in this his last film — lonely, bewildered, courageous - it's just too bad it doesn't quite ring the bell."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B02EFD81338E43BBC4F52DFB767838D679EDE? Review of ''The Defector''] from the November 17, 1966 edition of ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' said Clift was "first rate" but called the film "second rate".<ref>Clift First Rate in His Final Movie
Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 17 Feb 1967: d9. </ref>
===Box Office===
The film was not a box office success in France.<ref>Raoul Levy, 44, A Film Producer, Dies of Rifle Wound
New York Times 1 Jan 1967: 19. </ref>
==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist|group="n"}}
{{reflist|group="n"}}

Revision as of 17:31, 28 August 2019

The Defector
Film poster by Frank McCarthy
Directed byRaoul Lévy
Written by Raoul Lévy
Robert Guenette
Montgomery Clift[n 1]
Peter Francke[n 1] [1]
Produced byRaoul Lévy
Conrad von Molo
StarringMontgomery Clift
Hardy Krüger
Roddy McDowall
CinematographyRaoul Coutard
Edited byRoger Dwyre
Albert Jurgenson
Music bySerge Gainsbourg
Production
company
Distributed by Gaumont S.A.B.
Seven Arts Productions
Release dates
 20 Oct 1966 (W. Germany)
16 Nov 1966 (USA)
24 Nov 1967 (Sweden)
17 May 1968 (Finland)
Running time
106 minutes
CountriesFrance
West Germany
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.5 million[2]

The Defector is a 1966 thriller film, starring Montgomery Clift, Roddy McDowall and Macha Meril. It was directed by Belgian director/producer Raoul Lévy and based on the 1965 novel L'espion (The Spy) by Paul Thomas.[3]

This was Clift's final film, and he only agreed to star in it so he could prepare himself for his next role in the 1967 film Reflections in a Golden Eye (the role went to actor Marlon Brando). Although obviously very ill (he died less than three months after most of the shooting was completed), he still managed to give a convincing performance in what has been termed a very moody and sombre film. This characterization is in stark contrast to the exuberance displayed by his love interest, who was played by Meril, an obviously more youthful woman.

Lévy committed suicide on 31 December 1966. Consequently, although the film was released before Levy's death, it was a posthumous showing for both its director and lead actor.

Plot

Professor Bower, an American physicist, is effectively blackmailed by a shady CIA agent named Adams to help the CIA obtain secret microfilm from a defecting Russian scientist. The reluctant Bower travels to East Germany undercover as an antiques collector where he encounters Heinzmann, an East German fellow physicist, who is also a secret agent. Heinzmann is aware of Bower's meeting with Adams and his intention to steal the microfilm, but their mutual respect for one another's tactics complicate the proceedings.

Cast

Production

The movie was based on the novel The Spy. The film was announced in January 1966. It was Montgomery Clift's first film appearance in four years. The original stars announced were Clift, Monica Vitti and Hardy Kruger. Filming was to begin on 29 January 1966 in Munich at the Regina Hotel and at the Bavaria Atellier Gestellschaft Studio on a budget of $1.5 million.[2] Levy had previously made Hail Mafia with Seven Arts.[2]

Filming ended up being pushed back until March. This meant Vitti had to drop out and was replaced by Leslie Caron.[4] Then Caron gave up her role in the film shortly before filming began in Munich in March 1966.[5] Nicole Courcel dropped out and was replaced by Macha Meril.[6] Filming proceeded relatively smoothly in sharp contrast to other later period Clift movies.[7]

The movie completed filming in June. Clift returned to New York where he died the following month.[8]

Reception

Critics' response

Critics were generally favorable to the film, but some were more specific, as Bosley Crowther of the New York Times said, "Mr. Clift is apt in this his last film — lonely, bewildered, courageous - it's just too bad it doesn't quite ring the bell."[9] The Los Angeles Times said Clift was "first rate" but called the film "second rate".[10]

Box Office

The film was not a box office success in France.[11]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Uncredited.

References

  1. ^ The Defector, full cast & crew, IMDB
  2. ^ a b c On Three War Fronts By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 9 Jan 1966: 69.
  3. ^ DEFECTOR, The "(L'Espion)" Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 34, Iss. 396, (Jan 1, 1967): 174.
  4. ^ 'Catch-22' Readied for 1967 Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 24 Feb 1966: a10.
  5. ^ "People in the News...Quits". The Des Moines Register. March 3, 1966.
  6. ^ 'Impossible' Script Ready Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 31 Mar 1966: d17.
  7. ^ Features/Articles/People: The Winner Who Lost: Montgomery Clift Long, Barbara. Vogue; New York Vol. 148, Iss. 9, (Nov 15, 1966): 70, 72, 74, 86.
  8. ^ Montgomery Clift, 45, Dies of Heart Attack in New York Los Angeles Times 24 July 1966: B.
  9. ^ Review of The Defector from the November 17, 1966 edition of The New York Times
  10. ^ Clift First Rate in His Final Movie Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 17 Feb 1967: d9.
  11. ^ Raoul Levy, 44, A Film Producer, Dies of Rifle Wound New York Times 1 Jan 1967: 19.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Defector_(film)&oldid=912910576"