British agent Alexander Eberlin (Laurence Harvey) – a ruthless operator with the reputation of being something of a Dandy – is assigned to hunt down and kill a Russian assassin known as “Krasnevin.”
Only Russian-born Eberlin knows that Krasnevin is, in fact, himself. He has operated as a double agent for 18 years in England and is desperate to return to his motherland, but the Russians deem him too valuable in his current role.
Accompanying him on his mission is Gatiss (Tom Courtenay), an emotionless and ruthless young man and one of British Intelligence’s top killers.
Eberlin is relieved that Krasnevin is thought to be Pavel (Per Oscarsson), the Russian network contact in London. But when he tries to warn him of this, Pavel is killed – apparently by his Russian employers.
Eberlin and Gatiss travel to Berlin, where Eberlin tries to manoeuvre himself out of an increasingly desperate situation. He repeatedly attempts to get into the Eastern sector (and safety) but is unsuccessful.
He meets a lovely young photographer named Caroline (Mia Farrow), who had previously tried to date him in London only to be rebuffed. Now, they drift into an affair.
Eberlin eventually discovers that the British have known his true identity all along (they were the ones who killed Pavel), and Gatiss runs him down with his car. Eberlin shoots Gatiss through the windscreen before dying himself . . .
Peter Cook provides intelligent comic relief as a British agent named Prentiss, who is more coldly ruthless than he appears to be.
Director Anthony Mann died from a heart attack in his hotel room in Berlin during production, and Laurence Harvey stepped in to finish directing the film.
Based on Derek Marlowe’s novel of the same name.
Alexander Eberlin/Krasnevin
Laurence Harvey Gatiss
Tom Courtenay Caroline
Mia Farrow Fraser
Harry Andrews Prentiss
Peter Cook Sobakevich
Lionel Stander Pavel
Per Oscarsson Miss Vogler
Barbara Murray Henderson
John Bird Copperfield
Norman Bird Lake
Geoffrey Bayldon Brogue
Calvin Lockhart Heston-Stevas
James Cossins Flowers
Michael Trubshawe Quince
Lockwood West Ridley
Geoffrey Lumsden Lady Hetherington
Elspeth March Nevil
Richard O’Sullivan Greff
Mike Pratt Hedwig
Monika Dietrich Sgt Harris
George Murcell Stein
Vernon Dobtcheff
Director
Anthony Mann
Laurence Harvey
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Accompanying him on his mission is Gatiss (Tom Courtenay), an emotionless and ruthless young man and one of British Intelligence’s top killers.
Eberlin eventually discovers that the British have known his true identity all along (they were the ones who killed Pavel), and Gatiss runs him down with his car. Eberlin shoots Gatiss through the windscreen before dying himself . . .
