The film begins in German-occupied Warsaw in 1942. A prostitute is savagely stabbed to death, and a witness spots the killer departing. He sees no face – only a uniformed trouser leg bearing the red stripe worn by German generals.
Stubborn German military investigator Major Grau (Omar Sharif) narrows the list of suspects down to General Wilhelm Tanz (a superb performance from Peter O’Toole), the ruthless leader of the notorious SS Nibelungen division; cynical General Kahlenberge (Donald Pleasence) and sardonic city commander General von Seydlitz-Gabler (Charles Gray).
The investigation is shelved when Grau is conveniently transferred to Paris.
Two years later, when all three suspects are together again in Paris, another murder comes to Grau’s attention. The victim is a young prostitute, and the maniacal sex murder has the same psychopathic character as the Warsaw killing.
Grau solves the case but is killed before he can make an arrest. His investigation is resumed years later by Interpol Inspector Morand (Philippe Noiret), who had been a French policeman befriended by Grau during the occupation.
The core plot is also interwoven with half the German general staff being involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Hitler (which makes for a brief but welcome sub-plot), and a slim little romance between General von Seidlitz-Gabler’s free-thinking young daughter, Ulrike (Joanna Pettet) and reluctant hero Corporal Kurt Hartmann (Tom Courtenay).
This unique narrative is tied together by director Anatole Litvak’s skilful use of flashback, and his cutting is brilliant, but restrained, proving that a complex plot can unfold smoothly and creatively.
The well-structured story balances large scenes of troop actions with intrigues in military offices, parties, and various crime scenes. Fine direction, lush production, and some good performances lift the film above the level of its story(s). And the uniforms . . . ooh, the uniforms.
General Wilhelm Tanz
Peter O’Toole Major Grau
Omar Sharif Corporal Kurt Hartmann
Tom Courtenay General Kahlenberge
Donald Pleasence Ulrike von Seydlitz-Gabler
Joanna Pettet Inspector Morand
Philippe Noiret General von Seydlitz-Gabler
Charles Gray Eleanore von Seydlitz-Gabler
Coral Browne Colonel Sandauer
John Gregson Otto
Nigel Stock Captain Engel
Gordon Jackson Field Marshal Rommel
Christopher Plummer Juliette
Juliette Gréco Von Stauffenberg
Gérard Buhr Liesowski
Yves Brainville Doctor
Sacha Pitoëff Wionezek
Charles Millot Monique
Véronique Vendell Kopatski
Pierre Mondy Raymonde
Nicole Courcel Hauser
Michael Goodliffe Colonel Mannheim
Patrick Allen Melanie
Eléonore Hirt
Director
Anatole Litvak
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