Man in the Middle

Man in the Middle

5/2/1964 1h 33m 6.4/10

Overview

In a remote jungle outpost in the Far Eastern theater of World War II, a hotheaded American soldier murders an allied British sergeant in cold blood. Stalwart American Lt. Colonel Barney Adams (Mitchum) is dispatched to defend him in the ensuing court martial. But when Lt. Adams starts encountering roadblocks in his search for evidence, and his key witnesses start disappearing one after another, he soon realizes he's merely a pawn in a mysterious conspiracy that could extend to the highest levels of military power.

Director

Guy Hamilton

Top Billed Cast

Robert Mitchum

Robert Mitchum

Lt. Col. Barney Adams

Keenan Wynn

Keenan Wynn

Lieut. Winston

France Nuyen

France Nuyen

Kate Davray

Trevor Howard

Trevor Howard

Major Kensington

Barry Sullivan

Barry Sullivan

General Kempton

Sam Wanamaker

Sam Wanamaker

Major Kaufman

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

6/1/2023

6/10

"Col. Adams" (Robert Mitchum) is drafted in to conduct the defence, at court martial, of an American officer accused of murdering a British NCO in India. There's no doubt about the crime, nor that it was committed as charged so it all looks like fait accompli. "Adams" finds his grey cells starting to twitch when seemingly pointless obstacles are strewn in front of him. One witness is transferred suddenly and those supposed to be facilitating his work start to impede it. One conversation starts to ring alarm bells - perhaps his client isn't competent? Might he have a defence of insanity? That causes great consternation amongst the higher-ups who seem content to sacrifice their man for the sake of Anglo-American relationships. Ironically enough, it is the British doctor "Maj. Kensington" (Trevor Howard) who seems to want the truth told at the trial - but can they make their presence felt against some pretty formidable odds? This film benefits from quite an interesting storyline and a lead actor who is on decent form delivering a solid script. There are plenty of familiar faces amongst the supporting cast and there is just enough jeopardy to keep it interesting for ninety minutes before a fairly lively denouement.

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