Operazione Cicero

Here we have s spy-thriller that is not just like any other. First of all the main character is not working for the 'good guys', which already was a surprising move to take for this movie.

Reason why this movie tells this particular story, is because it's all being based on a true story, that was a quite remarkable one. An Albanian born guy, who worked for the British embassy in Turkey, becoming a spy for Nazi Germany during WW II, just simply for the money. It doesn't try to romanticize anything and it doesn't ever want to make you care for its main character but it's simply telling a story, in a rather good and compelling way.

It's not a slick or very exciting spy-thriller. Instead it's more of a talkative one, that is being kept deliberately straightforward and small and simple with all of its settings and characters. No doubt this was all also due to budget reasons but it's something that works out well for the movie eventually, as well as for its overall style and tense atmosphere.

It's a movie that lets its actors do most of the work, to tell its story with. And the movie has plenty of fine actors in it, that carry this movie and have the right required charisma and talent for it. James Mason is really good as a smooth talking and looking spy, who is not necessarily likable but he is a very interesting character, which makes you want to keep watching.

It's also a movie you need to keep on paying attention to, or else you will most likely miss an important aspect about its story. In that regard this is not a movie for just everybody but having said that, it still has plenty of entertainment and excitement to over as well. It just is not what this entire movie was all about and you shouldn't watch this movie expecting a thriller, with plenty of chases or shootouts in it.

An ultimately very rewarding movie.

8/10

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This is one of the great spy films. Mason gives his trademark cool, expert performance as a slippery, suave spy for the Nazis. The story is one of 20th Century Fox's series of documentary-style films based on real events during World War II.

The sense of danger and suspense is well handled, and the conclusion is Shakespearian in irony. This is a minor classic -- minor simply because few people know about it. See it if you get the chance.

This film is far from forgotten. Fans of James Mason and director Joseph L. Mankiewicz know it well. It's one of the most intelligent spy thrillers ever thanks to an Oscar-winning screenplay by Michael Wilson ("Bridge on the River Kwai," "Lawrence of Arabia," and the original "Planet of the Apes"). It also has a score by Bernard Herrmann. What else do you need? Other comments here have told what the plot is, so all I'll say is I envy you if haven't seen it yet and plan to. It's gripping and enjoyable all the way, and wonderfully ironic.

Another great performance by James Mason - he is wonderful as the brainy, underestimated valet of the British Ambassador to Turkey who feeds invaluable information to the Nazis for a price. The betrayals and counter-betrayals throughout make this a terrific suspense film. As usual, I find myself hoping that James Mason will get away with his crimes, even in spite of the despicable nature of his treachery and to whom he is betraying his secrets. The ending is satisfying in the most perfect way.

I'd never heard of this film when I tuned in to the History channel of all places, hoping for a diversion. I was immediately caught up in this suspenseful and well-acted TRUE STORY of how and why the Nazis obtained advance knowledge of the D-Day invasion, but made no use of it. Some of the most implausible aspects of this fictionalized account - the delicious surprise twist at the end - are TRUE! One of my film guides informed me that "5 Fingers" won the '53 Golden Globe for its excellent screenplay. The highlights of the witty script include the interplay of James Mason, as the suave valet I couldn't help rooting for, and Danielle Darrieux, as the penniless yet glamourously seductive Countess Staviska. The acting of these two is top-notch; the supporting cast is consistently strong, and the Turkish location shooting gives it body. And the direction, by Joseph Mankiewicz is solid. This is a film about which you will ask, as I did: "Why Haven't I Heard of THIS one Before!?!"