Synopsis: After three British agents are assigned to assassinate a mysterious German spy during World War I, two of them become ambivalent when their duty to the mission conflicts with their consciences.
Based on W. Somerset MaughamW. Somerset Maugham's [Ashenden] spy stories ({The Traitor} and {The Hairless Mexican}) and a play by Campbell DixonCampbell Dixon.
John GielgudJohn Gielgud filmed this during the day while appearing on stage in Romeo and Juliet opposite Peggy AshcroftPeggy Ashcroft and Laurence OlivierLaurence Olivier in the evening.
Alfred HitchcockAlfred Hitchcock reflected (regarding John GielgudJohn Gielgud's lack of heroics): "You can't root for a hero who doesn't want to be one."
Alfred HitchcockAlfred Hitchcock convinced John GielgudJohn Gielgud to play the lead by describing the hero as a modern day Hamlet. Gielgud, however, ended up hating that his character was an enigma and felt Hitchcock made the villain more charming than the hero.