Operation Diplomat (film)
| Operation Diplomat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | John Guillermin |
| Written by | A. R. Rawlinson John Guillermin |
| Based on | a story by Francis Durbridge |
| Produced by | Ernest G. Roy |
| Starring | Guy Rolfe |
| Cinematography | Gerald Gibbs |
| Edited by | Joseph Sterling |
| Music by | Wilfred Burns |
Production company | Nettleford |
| Distributed by | Butcher's Film Service |
Release dates | December 1953 (UK) July 1954 (US)[1] |
Running time | 70 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Operation Diplomat is a 1953 British drama film directed by John Guillermin and produced by Ernest G. Roy.[2][3][4]
It was one of Guillermin's earliest movies. A profile on the director called it "perhaps the first example of prime Guillermin... a 70-minute programmer so tautly directed that every image counts, every detail matters, every actor's movement feels perfectly timed-a true gem."[5]
Plot summary
A surgeon operating on an unknown patient discovers he is involved in the kidnapping of a British diplomat. When his personal secretary is murdered for revealing the patient's identity, the police are called in.
Cast
- Guy Rolfe as Dr. Mark Fenton
- Lisa Daniely as Lisa Durand
- Patricia Dainton as Sister Rogers
- Sydney Tafler as Wade
- Ballard Berkeley as Inspector Austin
- Anton Diffring as Shroder
- Brian Worth as Geoffrey Terry
- Michael Golden as Harrison
- James Raglan as Sir Oliver Peters
- Avice Landone as Mrs Terry
- Eric Berry as Colonel Williams
- Edward Dain as Sergeant Lewis
- William Franklyn as Dr Gillespie
- Desmond Llewelyn as Police Constable at barrier (uncredited)
- Joan Vandenberghe as child in bench scene
Production
It was based on a 6-part 1952 TV serial by Francis Durbridge which aired on the BBC.[6]
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin called it an "energetic yet improbable figure with too many points left unexplained."[7]
TV Guide wrote, "this film is hard to swallow, but the nonstop action helps cover up the gaping holes in the plot."[8]
Filmink said "it's crisply done."[9]
External links
- Operation Diplomat at IMDb
- Operation Diplomant at Letterbox DVD
- Operation Diplomat as Reel Streets
References
- ^ Drama Has Icy Locale Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times 1 July 1954: A9.
- ^ "Operation Diplomat". BFI. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012.
- ^ OPERATION DIPLOMAT Picture Show; London Vol. 62, Iss. 1617, (Mar 27, 1954): 10
- ^ Pratt, Vic; Lees, Kate (2020). "CHAPTER 3 EARLY DAYS WITH ADELPHI FILMS". In Guillermin, Mary (ed.). John Guillermin: The Man, The Myth, The Movies. Precocity Press. p. 45.
- ^ Savage Spectacles Möller, Olaf. Film Comment; New York Vol. 50, Iss. 1, (Jan/Feb 2014): 20-21.
- ^ Operation Diplomat at IMDb
- ^ OPERATION DIPLOMAT Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 21, Iss. 240, (Jan 1, 1954): 11.
- ^ "Operation Diplomat". TV Guide.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (17 November 2020). "John Guillermin: Action Man". Filmink.
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