His first collaboration with Pressburger is a lively spy thriller set in WW1 Western Isles Scotland. We empathise for the German spy Conrad Veidt, partly because in an amusing opening, his return to shore leave is troubled by a lack of any decent food or rest - scenes shared with Marius Goring and an uncredited Bernard Miles - and because he's a man of principle (though he's not above forcing himself later on Valerie Hobson). There's then a terrific scene in which schoolteacher June Duprez is kidnapped and murdered by an old lady and a chauffeuse (Helen Haye and Mary Morris).
Strong vein of humour continues through this wily, nimble, exciting film, such as the German sailors who have been captured because they blew up their submarine on one of their own mines, then are shelled by their own side.
With Sebastian Shaw, Athole Stewart as one vicar, Cyril Raymond (Brief Encounter) as the other, Esma Cannon, Agnes Lauchlan, Hay Petrie.
Characters are all really well rounded too, such as conniving Scottish couple, ship's captain and engineer, U-Boat commanders.
Music by Miklos Rosza, camera Bernard Browne, editor Hugh Stewart.
We watched a brand new episode of New Tricks afterwards and it seemed positively slow in comparison.
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