Circle of Deception
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Jack Lee
Suzy Parker
Bradford Dillman
Harry Andrews
Robert Stephens
Paul Rogers
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
In 1945, shortly before the Allied invasion of Europe, British Intelligence formulates a plan for outwitting the Germans in occupied France. Selecting an officer, they will deliberately give him false information and parachute him into Normandy on the theory that, if captured, he will crack under torture and reveal what he knows. The ruse can only succeed, however, if the officer believes that his mission is real. After lengthy psychological testing, Paul Raine, a young Canadian, is chosen for the job by the Intelligence chief, Captain Rawson. Partially responsible for the selection is Lieut. Lucy Bowen, who, though in love with Paul and opposed to the inhuman maneuver, reluctantly agrees with the decision. Everything works as planned; once in France, Paul is captured by the Gestapo, imprisoned, and relentlessly tortured. When close to the breaking point, he bites down on the cyanide pellet concealed in his hollow tooth. However, Rawson has seen to it that the capsule contains no poison; Paul "breaks" and tells the Germans everything. A short time later the French underground storms the prison and Paul is freed. Tortured with the thought that he betrayed his country, he flees to Tangiers and takes refuge in alcohol. As he hovers on the brink of suicide, Lucy finds him, tells him the truth, and restores his will to live.
Director
Jack Lee
Cast
Suzy Parker
Bradford Dillman
Harry Andrews
Robert Stephens
Paul Rogers
John Welsh
Ronald Allen
A. J. Brown
Martin Boddey
Charles Lloyd Pack
Jacques Cey
John Dearth
Norman Coburn
André Charise
Stephen Dartnell
David Palmer
Hennie Scott
Maurice Belfer
Meier Tzelniker
Richard Shaw
Roland Brand
Duncan Lamont
Walter Gotell
Tony Doonan
Arthur Gross
Michael Ripper
Brian Hankins
Basil Beale
Jean Harvey
Mickey Wood
Jean Briant
Frank Forsyth
Richard Marner
George Mikell
John Serret
Michael Shaw
Tony Quinn
Theodore Wilhelm
Crew
Nigel Balchin
Ted Barnes
Royce Baxter
G. Bignall
Christopher Burney
Don Challis
Howard Connell
Cecil Cooney
Brian Cummins
Gordon Dines
Joan Ellacott
Evelyn Gibbs
Betty Glasow
Deveril Goodman
Frederick Gunn
Harold Hanscomb
Eileen Hildyard
Claude Hitchcock
David Jones
Jill Langley
Henry Lee
Margery Lindop
Andrew Low
Dock Mathieson
Robert Musel
Peter Neilson
Clifton Parker
George Partleton
Maurice Pelling
Gordon Pilkington
Clive Reed
Nora Roberts
Bryn Siddall
The Symphonic Orchestra
David Tringham
F. E. Trussett
Tony West
J. Elder Wills
Michael Wilson
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Location scenes filmed in France. Opened in London in January 1961. The working title of this film is Destruction Test. Cutting continuity lists David Palmer in the role of "small boy," while other sources credit Hennie Scott.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States February 8, 1961
Released in United States Winter December 30, 1960
CinemaScope
Released in United States Winter December 30, 1960
Released in United States February 8, 1961
