The Defector (film)
Encyclopedia
The Defector is a 1966 thriller film
, starring Montgomery Clift
, Roddy McDowell and Macha Meril
. It was directed by Belgian director/producer Raoul Lévy.
actor Hardy Kruger
), who is also a fellow physicist. Heinzmann is aware of Bower's meeting with Adam and his intention to steal the microfilm, however their mutual respect for one another's tactics complicate the proceedings.
of the New York Times said, "Mr. Clift is apt in this his last film — lonely, bewildered, courageous - it's just too bad it doesn't quite ring the bell."
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, starring Montgomery Clift
Montgomery Clift
Edward Montgomery Clift was an American film and stage actor. The New York Times’ obituary noted his portrayal of "moody, sensitive young men"....
, Roddy McDowell and Macha Meril
Macha Méril
Macha Méril, born Princess Maria-Magdalena Vladimirovna Gagarina on 3 September 1940, Rabat, Morocco, is a French actress and writer, descended by her father from the Russian princely house Gagarin and by her mother from a Ukrainian noble family...
. It was directed by Belgian director/producer Raoul Lévy.
Plot
Clift plays Professor James Bower, an American physicist, who is effectively blackmailed by a shady CIA agent named Adam (Roddy McDowall) to help the CIA obtain secret microfilm from a defecting Russian scientist. The reluctant Bower travels to East Germany undercover as an antiques collector where he encounters an East German secret agent named Peter Heinzmann (GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
actor Hardy Kruger
Hardy Krüger
Hardy Krüger is a German actor. He is thought of as one of the greatest German actors of the 1960s. He was born in Wedding, Berlin, German Reich...
), who is also a fellow physicist. Heinzmann is aware of Bower's meeting with Adam and his intention to steal the microfilm, however their mutual respect for one another's tactics complicate the proceedings.
Cast
- Montgomery CliftMontgomery CliftEdward Montgomery Clift was an American film and stage actor. The New York Times’ obituary noted his portrayal of "moody, sensitive young men"....
as Prof. James Bower - Hardy KrügerHardy KrügerHardy Krüger is a German actor. He is thought of as one of the greatest German actors of the 1960s. He was born in Wedding, Berlin, German Reich...
as Counselor Peter Heinzmann - Roddy McDowallRoddy McDowallRoderick Andrew Anthony Jude "Roddy" McDowall was an English actor and photographer. His film roles included Cornelius and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes film series...
as Agent Adam - Macha MérilMacha MérilMacha Méril, born Princess Maria-Magdalena Vladimirovna Gagarina on 3 September 1940, Rabat, Morocco, is a French actress and writer, descended by her father from the Russian princely house Gagarin and by her mother from a Ukrainian noble family...
as Frieda Hoffman - David OpatoshuDavid OpatoshuDavid Opatoshu was an American film, stage and television actor. He was born as David Opatovsky in New York City, where he was reared and educated. His father was the Yiddish writer, Joseph Opatoshu.-Television:...
as Orlovsky - Christine DelarocheChristine DelarocheChristine Delaroche is a French actress. She has appeared in 21 films and television shows since 1965. She starred in the 1966 film Un monde nouveau, which was directed by Vittorio De Sica.-Selected filmography:...
as Ingrid - Hannes MessemerHannes MessemerHannes Messemer was a German actor best known for his role as the commandant in The Great Escape . The movie had a star-studded cast, but it was the relatively unknown Messemer who uttered the film's most famous line Hannes Messemer (May 19, 1924 – November 2, 1991) was a German actor best...
as Dr. Saltzer - Karl LieffenKarl LieffenKarl Lieffen , born Karel František Lifka, was a German film actor. He appeared in over 140 films on screen and television between 1949 and 1998....
as The Major
Critics response
Critics were generally favorable of the film, but some were more specific, as Alvarez KellyAlvarez Kelly
Alvarez Kelly is a 1966 war film set in the American Civil War. It starred William Holden and Richard Widmark. The film was based on the real-life Beefsteak Raid of September 1864.-Plot:...
of the New York Times said, "Mr. Clift is apt in this his last film — lonely, bewildered, courageous - it's just too bad it doesn't quite ring the bell."