The Man Who Never Was (1956)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(1,462 ratings)

Adapted from the book of the same name by Ewen Montagu and based on fact, The Man Who Never Was stars Clifton Webb as Montagu, a lieutenant commander in the British Navy during World War II, who becomes involved in tricky scheme to fool the Nazis. It entails locating a corpse, establishing an… More Adapted from the book of the same name by Ewen Montagu and based on fact, The Man Who Never Was stars Clifton Webb as Montagu, a lieutenant commander in the British Navy during World War II, who becomes involved in tricky scheme to fool the Nazis. It entails locating a corpse, establishing an identity for it as an intelligence officer called Major Martin, and having the body float in the water just off the coast of Spain, with military identificaiton and letters in its pockets that describe a forthcoming invasion of Greece by the British. That invasion, of course, is entirely fictitious, designed to distract the Nazis from picking up on the Britons' plans to invade Sicily. The scheme is complicated by a young woman named Lucy Sherwood (Gloria Grahame), and Patrick O'Reilly (Stephen Boyd), a German espionage agent. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Ronald Neame
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Apr 3, 1956 Wide
On DVD: Jun 7, 2005

Critic Reviews

Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Inspirado numa fascinante história real, o filme mantém a sobriedade em quase toda sua duração, permitindo que acompanhemos as inteligentes ações de britânicos e alemães para confundir uns aos outros.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This film is based on a true story, as revealed in a book by Ewen Montagu.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

I have to wonder if casting directors of this era intuitively sought out Gloria Grahame whenever a script called for a 'promiscuous' or 'unbridled' sort?
Anthony L

Loved this film since I was young. Based on true events, it?s an amazing story. I would love to remake this!

Cast

            Clifton Webb as Lt. Cmdr. Ewen Montagu

            Gloria Grahame as Lucy Sherwood

            Robert Flemyng as Lt. George Acres

            Josephine Griffin as Pam

            Stephen Boyd as Patrick O'Reilly

            André Morell as Sir Bernard Spilsbury

            Geoffrey Keen as Gen. Nye

            Michael Hordern as Gen. Coburn

            Moultrie Kelsall as The Father

            Cyril Cusack as Taxi-driver

            Joan Hickson as Landlady

            William Russell as Joe

            Richard Wattis as Shop Assistant

            Allan Cuthbertson as Vice-Admiral

            Brian Oulton as Lt. Jewell

            William Squire as Lt. Jewell

            Miles Malleson as Scientist

            Gibb McLaughlin as Club Porter

            Michael Brill as Doctor

            Cicely Paget-Bowman as Secretary

            Robert Brown as French

            Everley Gregg as Club Matron

            Lloyd Lamble as Passport Officer

            Don Gordon Bell as Customs Officer

            Wolf Frees as Adm. Canaris

            D.A. Clarke-Smith as Laurence a Consul

            Ronald Adam as Adams

            Laurence Naismith as Admiral Cross

            Peter Sellers as Voice of Winston Churchill

            John Welsh as Bank Manager

            Terence Labrosse as Larry
See full cast