''The Traitors'' is a 1962 British

thriller film Thriller film, also known as suspense film or suspense thriller, is a broad film genre that evokes excitement and suspense in the audience. The suspense element found in most films' plots is particularly exploited by the filmmaker in this genre. ...

directed by Robert Tronson and starring Patrick Allen, Jacqueline Ellis,

Zena Walker Zena Cecilia Walker (7 March 1934 – 24 August 2003) was an English actress in film, theatre and television. Biography Walker was born in the Selly Oak district of Birmingham, the daughter of George Walker, a grocer, and his wife Elizabeth Lo ...

and James Maxwell. It was written by J. Levy and

Jim O'Connolly James Philip O'Connolly (23 February 1926 – December 1986), known professionally as Jim O'Connolly, was an English film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for his work as associate producer of many of the ''Edgar Wallace Myst ...

Plot

A British agent and an American from NATO co-operate in an attempt to smash a communist spy ring. Following the discovery of a top secret microfilm after a plane crash, the two become embroiled in a complex web of treachery and double agents, before finally bringing the enemy spies to justice.

Cast

* Patrick Allen as John Lane * Jacqueline Ellis as Mary * James Maxwell as Ray Ellis *

as Annette Lane * Ewan Roberts as Colonel Burlinson * Jeffrey Segal as Dr Lindt * Anne Padwick as Mrs Lindt * Harold Goodwin as Edwards * John Bown as Mason * Sean Lynch as Porter * Jack May as Burton *

Anton Rodgers Anthony Rodgers (10 January 1933 – 1 December 2007) was an English actor and occasional director. He performed on stage, in film, in television dramas and sitcoms. He starred in several sitcoms, including '' Fresh Fields'' (ITV, 1984– ...

as Curtis * Mark Singleton as Venner

Critical reception

Kine Weekly ''Kinematograph Weekly'', popularly known as ''Kine Weekly'', was a trade paper catering to the British film industry between 1889 and 1971. Etymology The word Kinematograph was derived from the Greek ' Kinumai ', (to move, to be in motion, to ...

'' said: "Taut, skilfully-carpentered espionage melodrama. ... The picture eschews subtelty, but what it lacks in finesse it gains in robustness." ''

Boxoffice ''Boxoffice Pro'' is a film industry magazine dedicated to the movie theatre business published by BoxOffice Media LP. History It started in 1920 as ''The Reel Journal'', taking the name ''Boxoffice'' in 1931 and still publishes today, with a ...

'' said: "A minor British-made spy melodrama, completely lacking in marquee value, will satisfy undiscriminating moviegoers in supporting spot on neighborhood duals. ... The picture wastes little time on human interest details and, this coupled with the unfamiliar players, gives the film a documentary flavor."

Leslie Halliwell Robert James Leslie Halliwell (23 February 1929 – 21 January 1989) was a British film critic, encyclopaedist and television rights buyer for ITV, the British commercial network, and Channel 4. He is best known for his reference guides, '' Fi ...

said: "Commendable second feature with narrative virtues absent in most big films." ''Britmovie'' calls the film a "decent second-feature espionage drama."

References

External links

* 1962 films 1960s thriller films British thriller films Films directed by Robert Tronson Films shot at Pinewood Studios 1960s English-language films 1960s British films English-language thriller films {{1960s-thriller-film-stub