Notre agent à Salzbourg

When they can't locate a photographer who was documenting lake scenes in austria, his sister, the brother in law, and a lawyer sent to speak with him start to be concerned. And why are there people following the lawyer (Barry Newman)? And how are the photographer's sister and brother in law involved in what's going on ? And is the lawyer really a lawyer? We're forty minutes in, and all we know is the photographer is dead. The brother has found a box with "something" in it, and "someone" is willing to pay a lot for the contents. And others may pay even more. Some fun foreign filming locations - were they really filmed in salzburg and vienna? This one is either a bit dated, or maybe too far from the subject matter for us to care..? It goes so slowly, and we don't really care about the characters. The story is solid enough, but not exciting. Directed by Lee Katzin. Had a couple big movies, and whole lot of television. Novel by Helen McInnes. Her biggest novel/film was probably Above Suspicion, with Joan Crawford and Fred MacMurray.

This film begins with a diver by the name of "Richard Bryant" (Patrick Jordan) finding a metal box at the bottom of a lake in a remote part of Austria which contains a list of former Nazi agents and informants which several countries realize could be of great value to them. To that extent, an American lawyer named "William Mathison" (Barry Newman) just happens to be on vacation near there and is told to investigate the details of a contract Richard Bryant had recently signed. However, it soon becomes clear to him that something isn't quite right and his suspicions are proven correct when he learns that Richard-and several people somehow involved with him-have recently been murdered. Not only that but it appears that Richard's wife "Anna Bryant" (Anna Karina) and her brother "Johann Kronsteiner" (Klaus Maria Brandauer) are also in danger as well. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was an okay spy-drama which definitely benefited from the European scenery as it provided a good Cold War atmosphere. Likewise, having two attractive actresses like "Karen Jensen" (as Elissa Lang) and the aforementioned Anna Karina certainly didn't hurt in that regard either. One slight drawback, however, involved the "made-for-television" format which typically limits certain aspects of a film-and this picture was no exception. Be that as it may, I still found it to be worth the time spent to watch and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

You can jump in and out and see what someone thinks a spy movie should look like. TV movie score for sure. I almost anticipated commercials. Don't try to follow any story line; just enjoy how the actors do what they are told to do. You can hear the director coaching, while looking at his watch. Can only imagine what went on in editing.

But it is fun to look at!

Just what vacation was Barry on anyway? He must be some lawyer back home - a Bond/Flint type practicing law?

Lawyer picks up college grad and immediately invite her to his room; poor innocent American! He's in for a surprise for sure.

Anna Bryant is a joy, as she tries hard to carry the role. Barry keeps up, and along with Karen Jensen make it viewable.

One last thought: is not Walt Bissell always great?!!

Barry Newman is "Bill", a lawyer for a publishing company who travels to Salzburg to talk to a photographer who is working on a book about the local lakes. When he stops by the man's studio, he discovers from his wife "Anna" (Anna Karina) that the man has recently died - and that she and "Johann" (Klaus Maria Brandauer) suspect foul play. When Brandauer discovers a metal box in the water, he secretes it away in a remote house; hopefully safe from those who will stop at nothing to obtain it's contents. What now follows is a series of perilous escapades as Newman tries to stay alive long enough to get to the bottom of this mystery. This film might have been better had the star had a bit more of a presence, but as it is he is little better than a jobbing television actor who brings little gravitas or style to the role. Brandauer isn't much better, with a supporting cast of mediocre acting talent that rather drags this post-war thriller into the doldrums and leaves it there.

Had it not been for some strong language, I would have tapped "The Salzburg Connection" as a TV movie, but apparently, it had a theatrical release. Based on the book by Helen MacInnes, the film stars Barry Newman, Anna Karina, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Karen Jensen, and Whit Bissell.

Newman plays attorney Bill Mathison, who goes to Salzburg to investigate a publishing contract for Richard Brandt, a man photographing Austrian lakes. When he arrives at the man's photo shop, he meets the Brandt's wife (Karina) and her brother Johann (Brandauer).

Shortly thereafter, he learns Brandt is dead as is one of Mathison's European contacts. Apparently agents are searching for a chest buried by the Nazis and believed to be in Brandt's possession. It contains the names of Nazi collaborators who can be called upon for neo-Nazi activities. All the countries want it for one reason or another -- the Americans want to know if any of these people have important jobs in the U.S.

I remember reading this book and liking it, but I am unclear if I saw this film. The Austrian scenery is glorious, but since this is a Twentieth Century Fox film, I can't believe they filmed in Salzburg without any visual references to Salzburg's major tourist attraction - The Sound of Music tour. Not to mention The Sound of Music postcards and other paraphernalia.

The film version is slow and boring, and I couldn't get attached to the characters or their plight.

Barry Newman made his name at just the right time, when the antihero types like Pacino were coming to fame, but his career never took off. He always had an air of overconfident playboy about him, but he was certainly popular, and he is still working. He's okay in this. Everyone is okay.

I'd say the scenery is the star.