Diplomatic Courier

In the Cold War, Mike Kells (Tyrone Power) is a courier, who has the mission to meet his friend Sam Carew (James Millican) in a train in Europe and bring some documents back to Washington. However, Sam is killed in the train, and Mike finds a hint in his pocket, indicating he should go to Trieste to find Janine (Hildegard Knef), the last contact of Sam before he dies. Meanwhile, Joan Ross (Patricia Neal), an American widow that Mike met in the plane, shows a great interest in Mike. Mike does not know, but he is used by American government as a bait. This movie has aged a lot, by remains very attractive. The story, full of plot points, is still very good. In Brazil, it is only available on cable television. The DVD and the VHS have not been released. My vote is seven

Title (Brazil): `Missão Perigosa em Trieste' (`Dangerous Mission in Trieste')

This is one of the best of the post-war intrigue/suspense flicks. What all of these have in common is the gritty black-and-white look of cities that haven't recovered from the war, usually in ruins, to varying degrees. (Think The Third Man, The Search, Berlin Express) There are no ruins in Diplomatic Courier, but you still get that shadowy, melancholy, sinister, exotic atmosphere that marks the genre.

Others, who pick apart the "accuracy" or logic of certain parts of Diplomatic Courier are pedantic prigs who don't know how to watch a movie. Sure, there are a few lapses, but in such a fast-paced movie, with so many plot points, it's amazing that the story holds together so well. This is due, I think, to Henry Hathoway, one of the great line directors of the studio system. Add the cinematography of the great Lucien Ballard, and you have a handsome production.

As for the cast, who cares if Bogart would have been better? Tyrone Power is, well, Tyrone Power. No, he's no Bogart, but who doesn't enjoy just watching him? And he is one of the great action film stars. And we have Patricia Neal, at her most beautiful and vampish, in that mink coat for Ty Power to nestle his face in. I think the Power-Neal thing is essential because it serves as a light-hearted counterpoint to the severe, portentous relationship of Power-Neff.

And speaking of Hildegard Neff, I agree with a previous reviewer, that this film showcases the talent and beauty of one of the finest actresses that Hollywood ever trashed.

I SAW THIS MOVIE IN THE 50s, but I remember that it was well played by Tyrone Power and Hildegarde Neff, with solid direction and good B&W photography.Charles Bronson ( uncredited ), had only a few seconds on the screen, but I remember vividly that he made a tremendous impression, and I was sure he would attain stardom.

Absolutely loved the premise, and when espionage thrillers are done well they are intriguing and enthralling. Henry Hathaway was a gifted director, especially in the Western genre, not everything he did was great ('The Black Rose' for example is a strange film) but when on form his films were great. The cast are also talented, including late career Tyrone Power relatively against type and Lee Marvin, Karl Malden and Charles Bronson pre-stardom.

'Diplomatic Courier' turned out to be a very good film. Not quite great or perfect, but with several fantastic elements and the things that had me worried as to whether they would work (Power for example) did do. It is always interesting when Hathaway does something different from the Western genre that he was best known for and he did show that he was at ease in other genres too, 'Kiss of Death' for example proved that and so does 'Diplomatic Courier'.

Personally do not agree with anybody that says that Power is bland or looks lost. To me the weakest performance came from a rather hammy Malden that jars a bit with the more serious tone of the film.

Would also have liked more development to Patricia Neal's role and more screen time for her. There is the odd bit of credibility straining.

However, Power did a good job on the whole. It is not his usual type of role, am most familiar with him in adventure and swashbucklers, but he does have presence and the weariness works for the role, didn't think he looked lost at all. Neal is wonderfully vampish and really makes the most of her role. Marvin and Bronson show that they had charisma, intensity and big potential pre-stardom. My favourite performance actually came from Hildegarde Neff in understated and touching form.

Furthermore, Hathaway directs expertly and with a real feel for atmosphere. Which has a lot of subtle tension. The story is intricate but not confusing and always engrosses, while the script is clever without being too talky. The score doesn't overbear and at least sounds like Sol Kaplan knew what kind of film he was writing for. 'Diplomatic Courier' looks great, very beautifully and atmospherically photographed with a lot of style and the use of actual locations works in its favour considerably.

In summation, very good and well worth watching. 8/10

Tyrone Power plays a diplomatic courier called out on a special assignment which seems fairly simple: pick up some documents from an agent and take them to Washington. But of course, in a film like this, things don't work out right the first time. The "drop" doesn't go according to plan, so Power has to improvise, surrounded by an increasing number of characters whose loyalties are questionable. A couple of femmes fatales, a cross-dressing night club entertainer, some MPs, and the obligatory little bald pawnshop owner all liven up the plot, with plenty of twists en route to the finale.

The influence of THE THIRD MAN is clear, with plenty of atmospheric European locations, and even a bit of zither music in a restaurant. Power is an engaging hero, and the two female leads (Neal and Neff) keep him guessing. Early appearances by Karl Malden, Charles Bronson, and Lee Marvin add interest for trivia buffs. Fans of Cold War espionage fiction will find DIPLOMATIC COURIER a great way to spend an evening.