Diplomatic Courier (1952)

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Just perfect...

Good movie but grossly overrated

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

"Diplomatic Courier" is an outstanding spy, action thriller set in 1952 Europe where many countries were yet divided by occupation forces since World War II. The movie is based on a novel by Peter Cheyney, a British writer of suspense, crime and mysteries. He had served in World War I and was a police reporter and crime investigator in the 1920s. The cast hosts several prominent actors with magnificent roles. All give superb performances. This is one of the best and demanding roles Tyrone Power had in his career. He is a State Department courier who gets embroiled in espionage. He is prodded for romance, clubbed more than twice, tossed in the sea to drown, almost run over by a hit and turn driver, drugged and tortured, and caught up in fist fights. Patricia Neal is seductive as Joan Ross and Stephen McNally plays the tough-as-nails head of Army CID, Col. Mark Cagle. Hildegarde Knef is excellent as a double agent, Janine Betki. Karl Malden has a wonderful supporting role as Master Sgt. Ernie Guelvada of the CID. He comes to Mike's rescue a number of times. Lee Marvin has a small part as an MP, and the yet unknown Charles Bronson has a silent part as a Russian agent. German actor Stefan Schnabel plays a familiar role as Rasumny Platov, the head Soviet agent.This film is a fine example of a sub-genre of movies that began almost after the end of WW II. Cold War spy thrillers continued until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The best years these flicks were the late 40s through the 1960s. After that there were fewer such films. An added plus for this film is that it was made during the post-war occupation period. For several years after the war – until 1952, Allied forces had a presence in some western and eastern European countries. They helped maintain order and provide police and security protection as those countries got back on their feet. In some countries, American, British and French had military presence along with or opposite Russian units. In the Eastern bloc counties, the Soviets held sway all alone. So, this film has a lot of suspense, action, and movement, with wonderful cinematography of some of the European locations. The intrigue, action, scenery, setting, script with sub-plots, and excellent acting and direction all add up to a most enjoyable and entertaining movie. One that also gives a good picture of the climate and times in the early Cold War years right after World War II. For that reason, "Diplomatic Courier" also has historical value for any film library.

Tyrone Power is a diplomatic courier for the US State Department who gets into more trouble than he bargained for. Always a very good if under-rated actor,in "Diplomatic Courier" Tyrone Power shows a tough shrewdness that's more gritty private eye than State Department protocol calls for. The movie, in beautifully photographed black-and-white, never lets up its rapid pace. It's the sort of impeccably produced Hollywood movie that is absolutely professional, from the smart direction of Henry Hathaway to the breathtaking cinematography by Lucien Ballard. As a diplomatic courier, Power thinks himself as just "a postman." But when he's called upon to make a special delivery, things begin happening and fast. For starters, he finds himself in the sights of not one, but two beautiful women --{Patricia Neal and Hildegard Neff -- who both deliver terrific and intelligent performances.) Much of the action takes place on one of those international trains equipped with piercing air horns and whistles, with lots of hopping between compartments. There is also the requisite plush hotel and nightclub with a weird variety act, and packs of sinister Eastern European-accented characters up to no good. With all of this, there is a marvelous bonus: four future stars appear in "Diplomatic Courier," and you might want to look for them: Michael Ansara...Charles Bronson... Lee Marvin ... and Karl Malden. Bronson, Ansara and Marvin have tiny roles -- Bronson (Buchinsky here) and Ansara are in and out in seconds -- but Karl Malden actually steals the movie as a Sgt. Bilko-type US Army non-com who knows the ropes. In all, "Diplomatic Courier" is a nice surprise, especially if you like to watch for new stars on the horizon.

a film who can be discovered as an admirable work. for the precise image of Cold War spirit. for the web-story. and for courageous option for cast members. a film who reminds more than an action subject. it is charming, mysterious and well made. it is a special embroidery of relations and choices, not perfect but interesting to discover an another Tyron Power. it has sensuality and explores the each detail in an inspired manner. and, sure, it represents vehicle for many memories . a thriller in old great style who can not be reduced at artistic value. the atmosphere, the small things who creates it are precious. and the remarkable cast. because, like each war, it could be a film about present reality.

Diplomatic Courier is directed by Henry Hathaway and adapted by Casey Robinson and Liam O'Brien from the novel Sinister Errand written by Peter Cheyney. It stars Tyrone Power, Patricia Neal, Hildegard Knef, Stephen McNally and Karl Malden. Music is by Sol Kaplan and cinematography by Lucien Ballard.Power plays Mike Kelly, a Department of State courier who ends up in a nest of intrigue and murder in Trieste when he fails to collect a package from a colleague.A well constructed espionage yarn. Pace moves at a clip, the black and white photography giving it a semi-documentary feel, which in turn is at one with the Cold War cloud looming over plotting. There's the inevitable requests to suspend disbelief, but that's fine for the sub-genre spy seeking fan. Cast are good, with Power full of determination, Neal deliciously nutty, Malden energetic and the beautiful Knef hinting at the ability that was never realised. There's twists and turns and rocks to look under, while the good and bad guys are never easily identified. All good, really, a safe and sound recommendation. 7/10