Review of The Counterfeit Traitor (1962) by Private U — 12 Jul 2007

Epic-scale espionage thriller in the same vein as "The Spy Who Came In From the Cold". William Holden gives a solid performance as a civilian called upon the allies to act as a spy, traveling across Europe on "business trips" to establish connections to German entrepreneurs.

Holden's character is a real human being, he's inexperienced and unsure about himself. Unlike a spy like James Bond, we don't know how Holden's character can get out of danger or even if he will (no hi-tech gadgetry here).

This realism makes the suspense all the more palpable to the viewer as we are never sure how (or if) he will escape, and the danger seems real at all times and is always a potent threat. Though there are some terrific moments of tension, the script does drag at points (due to its excessive run time) but there is always a dramatically intense scene to pull you in, thus making you never lose interest.

The highlight of the film is the powerful scene between Holden and Lilli Palmer at the prison window... so powerful that it is nearly unbearable!