In 1939 when an English hunter takes aim at Adolf Hitler with a rifle, he is captured, tortured and left for dead. He escapes but his captors pursue him to England.In 1939 when an English hunter takes aim at Adolf Hitler with a rifle, he is captured, tortured and left for dead. He escapes but his captors pursue him to England.In 1939 when an English hunter takes aim at Adolf Hitler with a rifle, he is captured, tortured and left for dead. He escapes but his captors pursue him to England.
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- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 1 nomination total
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The plot is marvellously gritty, with a brutal struggle for survival and a sense of desperation rarely seen in British films.
He was tortured and escaped with some help from a wonderful German who considered the Nazi thugs 'trash', as well as English sailors. Knowing O'toole's background in the Royal Navy, his disguise didn't take much acting. The 'by the book' captain who refused to allow a search of his vessel by the intimidating Germans made me wonder if any of my compatriots would stand up to that today.
If you've never seen the Tower Bridge, the significance of O'toole coming up from his cramped hiding place onboard the ship, seeing the underside of the bridge, might escape you. He portrays the joie de vivre of that moment wonderfully. I could just fall into his beautiful blue eyes!!
The interplay between O'toole and his uncle, as the love then hate relationship between Parliament and Hitler progresses, gives great insight into how this horror happened. O'toole, the rogue, is under suspicion and search by, not only the Nazi English agents, but his own people, normal agents of government!!! This only added to my usual cynicism concerning governments. Now to read the book!!!!
The film is about a hunter who gets a chance to shoot Hitler but misses it. He is then tortured n left for dead by the nazis. He somehow manages to make his way back to his home country. Fearing of extradition n the nazis n local cops after him, he goes under the ground. Yes, literally under the ground. The film turns into a survival thriller n we come to kno that our hunter is the forefather of Rambo. The film is beautifully shot with some amazing countryside locations. The editing, acting n direction is top notch.
This film is based on a book. There is a 1941 film version. The writer of the Rambo series got heavily inspired by the book upon which this film is based on.
Much of the quality and suspense of the novel comes through, and the wordiness if you will of the script gave O'Toole the freedom to express his character and the political-vs-personal tensions Household filled _Rogue Male_ with.
This must have been an English production, I can't imagine an American one including the racial characterizations, 30's political details, or the quick repartee.
Did you know
- TriviaFinal movie of Alastair Sim (The Earl).
- GoofsWhile crafting his 'device' towards the end of the movie, the protagonist's hands are shown with full fingernails; contrary to one of the plot devices.
- Quotes
Interrogator: Sorry? You tried to shoot the greatest man the world has ever seen and you say you are sorry?
Hunter: It was a sporting stalk. I'm sorry because you don't have the wit to understand.
Interrogator: I went to school in England. You say I don't understand English?
Hunter: You understand English; you just don't understand Englishmen!
- ConnectionsReferenced in The South Bank Show: Peter O'Toole (1992)
Details
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- Country of origin
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- Also known as
- Rogue Male
- Filming locations
- Wintour's Leap, Gloucestershire, England, UK(where the Interrogator throws Sir Robert down the cliff)
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