Bafta-nominated Virginia McKenna gives an understated but well-pitched performance as Violette Szabo, a glamorous young woman whose life in London is barely affected by the Second World War until she meets and marries a French officer.
But he is soon killed in action, and she finds herself drawn into espionage work, risking her life in occupied France as a British spy.
Made by the same team of director Lewis Gilbert and co-writer Vernon Harris that brought the Douglas Bader biopic Reach for the Sky(1956) to the screen, this is another well-crafted biographical drama inspired by real-life heroism beyond the call of duty.
The supporting cast is pretty good, too, and includes an all-too-rare big-screen appearance from theatre giant Paul Scofield.
Violette Szabo
Virginia McKenna Tony Fraser
Paul Scofield Mr Bushell
Jack Warner Mrs Bushell
Denise Grey Etienne Szabo
Alain Saury Jacques
Maurice Ronet Lillian Rolfe
Anne Leon Potter
Sydney Tafler Vera Atkins
Avice Landone Denise Bloch
Nicole Stéphane Winnie
Billie Whitelaw Colonel Buckmaster
William Mervyn Commandant Suhren
Harold Lang
Director
Lewis Gilbert
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