Compared to the number of WW2 films set in Western Europe, those set in Turkey and the Middle East are rare. This is an interesting example; a spy/mystery/noir thriller about an innocent man who becomes the target of a political assassination plot. Joseph Cotten stars in his own screenplay (based on a novel by Eric Ambler, master of the WW2 spy story), with a cast studded with members of the Mercury Theatre troupe (Welles, Moorehead, etc.).
Welles takes a plum part as the head of the Turkish secret police, who forces Cotten to leave town on a "traveling slum" of a boat, filled with interesting characters (at least one of whom is probably his would-be killer). Deft plot twists mingle with moments of humor and a touch of romance. Watch carefully and you'll even recognize Hans Conreid ("Snidely Whiplash") as a hapless magician. A cliff-hanger (or hotel-hanger) ending is a good wrap-up to a brief but interesting war thriller.
Welles takes a plum part as the head of the Turkish secret police, who forces Cotten to leave town on a "traveling slum" of a boat, filled with interesting characters (at least one of whom is probably his would-be killer). Deft plot twists mingle with moments of humor and a touch of romance. Watch carefully and you'll even recognize Hans Conreid ("Snidely Whiplash") as a hapless magician. A cliff-hanger (or hotel-hanger) ending is a good wrap-up to a brief but interesting war thriller.